Real People

Ah, the marvels of modern communication. Being a journalist I’ve spent my entire career in the world of communications – newspapers, newsletters, magazines, books, and now the Internet in various forms. Connecting with people seems easier than ever. Using social media I’ve been in touch with people I hadn’t communicated with in years.

Everyone we need to contact is right there
 - just hovering around in cyberspace.

Good, right? Yes – and no. Years ago an advertising slogan suggested, “Reach out and touch someone.” Despite the blitz of emails, voice mail, Facebook messages, tweets, YouTube videos, Skype and such, are we really “touching” one another in meaningful ways? 

I’m somewhat introverted by nature, so sitting at the computer for much of the day, utilizing electronic media to communicate with family, friends, colleagues, etc. works okay. But there’s nothing like being face-to-face, eye-to-eye to communicate effectively. In fact, communication experts tell us more than 90 percent of all communication is non-verbal – eye contact (or lack of it), body language, gestures, tones of voice, facial expressions, how we deliver the words we speak.

So when you fire off an email or text someone, chances are your intended recipients aren’t getting the complete message.

But it’s more than that. There’s no substitute for a gentle touch, a friendly grin, the wink of an eye to brighten another person’s day, to quietly convey, “You’re somebody. I know you exist, and you’re important.”

The Bible says a lot about the significance of in-person interaction. In Mark 3:14 it states Jesus “appointed twelve – designating them apostles – that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.” Long before the days of computers, cell phones and such, Jesus understood the importance of being in others’ physical presence to convey His message accurately and effectively.

Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another….”

Passages in the Old Testament speak of the limitations – and dangers – of living in isolation. Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” This can be accomplished somewhat by long distance – phone calls, emails, texts and such – but it works best “live and in person.”

And Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 emphasizes the same principle. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up…. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

By all means stay in touch with family and friends in all ways available, utilizing the benefits of modern technology. But whenever possible, don’t settle for images on a computer screen or disembodied voices. Never forget the joy of being around real people.