Focal Point

Focal Point
Focal Point is more than a blog. It's purpose is to help us stay focused on Christ through Gods Word as we navigate through life and today's culture.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Text messages, Facebook and Jesus

What a world of technology we live in today. The ways to connect with people is absolutely amazing. Now, I have not seen the movie, but I recall the line from the movie “He’s just not that into you” where Drew Barrymore says “I had this guy leave me a voice mail at work so I called him at home and then he e-mailed me to my Blackberry and so I texted to his cell and then he e-mailed me to my home account and the whole thing just got out of control. And I miss the days when you had one phone number and one answering machine and that one answering machine has one cassette tape and that one cassette tape either had a message from a guy or it didn't. And now you just have to go around checking all these different portals just to get rejected by seven different technologies. It's exhausting” Yes things have changed that is for sure. So while there are in fact more ways to be rejected, there are so many ways to stay connected. And that we do, and we do it well. From facebook, myspace, youtube, text messages, skype, twitter, iphones, blackberry, and every other type of cell phone and device. Not only do we have these means of communication but we use them fervently, religiously. We text while we drive (though in some states it’s against the law), walk, watching TV, eating, working, and exercising. Facebook? Well that speaks for itself how often we are all on that. Cells phones are surgically attached to our bodies and people with a Bluetooth headset protruding from above their ear. The malls, airports and sidewalks are filled with people walking around as it would seem talking to themselves. Oh, how we communicate today. We put people on hold when our cell phone goes off. We check our ‘incoming messages’ while talking to someone personally, sitting in a meeting, or church. After all, we have to look at and answer all these messages and do so now. And what is amazing and sometimes rude is that it actually takes the priority over the person we are talking who is standing right there in front of us. The line we give is …“I gotta take this call”. I want to say, “wait a minute, I was here first”.

Now, I wonder what the Lord thinks about all this? Personally, I have no idea. But I do have an idea of what He thinks when he sees us put Him on hold. When He sees himself not having the same priority in our life like these devices we faithfully use and messages we frequently get. I wonder if He would say to us, “do MY WORDS have the same priority in your life as your text messages, facebook posts and incoming cell calls? ….You stop what you are doing, you excuse yourself from others, it’s the first thing you check in the morning – afternoon – and evening so that you can communicate with others, so…why do I not have that place in your life. Why are you so busy that you don’t have time for me? You communicate so well with others, please communicate with me and let me communicate with you.”

You see, I am not just writing a blog to you, I am writing what God is speaking to me about. God is saying, “Steve, you sure don’t have a problem finding time to check facebook so how about finding more time to spend time with me?....Steve, you like to stay connected with people, so how about staying connected with me. Steve, how about putting me at the top of your priority list too”

We are going through a series on crazy love at church that is based on Francis Chans book. One of the things that God is challenging me with is this realization that God wants me to pursue Him everyday. And the way I pursue Him is by connecting with Him everyday, keeping Him on my mind as I am on His ..every moment. See, as a Pastor and simply as a husband and a man, I find myself so drawn away by so many distractions. Yet, I seem to find the time for facebook, and text messages….don’t you?...Lord, help me to spend time with you… I want to stay in constant communication with you Lord…I need you, I need your wisdom and direction.. We might say, If the Lord would send me a text message I would take it and read it..well, you know He did, it is in His Word and our communication comes by taking the time to read it daily and spending time with Him in prayer.

See - We can get so busy that we put off the most important things in our life and the most necessary things. It happens me, and I know it can happen to you