“Is connectivity killing connection?”

by Katie Wilson

While sitting in the doctor’s office recently, I saw a room full of people and heard a room full of DEAD SILENCE.  Everyone was glued to their phone.

It made me sad and it immediately brought a memory to mind, a moment I would have missed had my phone monopolized my time. Sadly, I cannot say that my devices always take backseat, but thankfully, they did in this HOLY GROUND MOMENT.

I am inviting you into a sacred scene, a sacred scene that is timely in light of Memorial Day.  This is a memory I will never forget and I pray you won’t either.

The plane had finally come to a complete stop. After several delays, running through airports, spacious and aromatic airplane “lavs” and hours of sitting, nothing sounded more appealing than HOME.

It had been several minutes since the seat belts stopped clicking, when we realized no one was moving from their seats. The plane was completely quiet, minus one cellular, ear-jarring conversation to our left. He was completely oblivious to the fact that not one other person was talking or had a phone out.

The pilot spoke over the PA system, “Thank you for your cooperation and respect in staying in your seat, as we allow the escort of a fallen soldier to exit first. We will remain on the plane until the casket reaches its transfer point.”

Cell phone man (CPM) never quit talking.

This was not the HOME COMING one family had hoped for. In a split second, every ounce of travel weariness left my body, replaced by a weeping heart manifesting in the welling up of tears. The military escort solemnly made his way down the aisle and off the plane. No longer was a soldier a far-away hero whom I thanked from a distance. I was in the middle of a HOLY GROUND MOMENT. He became MY loved one. He was a hero with a face and a family, a family I now felt a part of, who happen to be right outside my window.

I pray you pause with me in this breath. 

Close your eyes and imagine rendering honors — standing at attention and saluting. 

I watched as the Honor Guard received a treasure, the casket of a selfless soldier, son and saint. I watched as a family locked eyes on what was left of their loved one, the one they had made countless memories with, the one who was the melody they would carry in their hearts forever.

And CPM is still talking.

As much as I wanted to punch CPM in the face that day (I am just being honest), I have grown to pity him. He was so wrapped up in himself and his minor delay, that he missed the flag-wrapped masterpiece and the meaningful wait. Instead of harboring a grudge against the inconsiderate, I am choosing to learn a considerable lesson.  I am clearly writing this post on a device and sharing it on social media; so, please do not think that I am boycotting technology or giving a parental lecture on how to pay attention. I am simply sharing with you what I believe God is teaching me in this season of life. He is urging me to never forget that “reach out and touch someone” (ironically, the AT&T slogan from the late 70’s/early 80’s urging us to “metaphorically” connect through our phone service) is meant to be literal FIRST.

In the waiting rooms of life, 

may we look up, before we look down to press LIKE,

lean in and listen, before we lean out to make a call or listen to a voice mail,

lock eyes, before unlocking our screens,

and

love well the faces we can touch before HEARTING the posts on FACEBOOK.

Connectivity is good, but as with any good thing, it can be misused. When connectivity causes us to over-talk sacred scenes on an airplane or overlook empathy in a waiting room, I would say something has gone terribly wrong.

So, is connectivity killing connection?

You tell me.

 

Dear Lord,

Thank you so much for the creative ways and opportunities You have given us to unite our hearts with others. Help us to always seek connection with You first, because You tell us, “if we seek You we will find You, if we seek You with all our hearts.” (Jer. 29:13) We are seeking You with all our hearts. You are the God who loved us first; therefore, as we learn to live and move and have our being in Your unconditional love, may we reach out and touch the lives around us with the overflow of the grace and mercy You have so lavishly heaped upon us. 

Lord, please give us wisdom, discernment, knowledge and understanding in the area of connectivity.  Enable us to never forfeit true connection, tangible relationship, for the counterfeit connections this world abundantly offers. We thank You for the endless ways You offer us creative displays of Your splendor to delight in. Open our eyes to the crafty schemes of the enemy when he attempts to distract, derail and detach us. 

Thank you Lord that we are victorious NOW in Christ. Your Holy Spirit lives within Your children; therefore, we are fully equipped and empowered to reach out and touch the world with the extravagant love of the Father. May we never miss a hand to hold because our hands are glued to a device. 

In Jesus precious and powerful Name,

Amen

About the Author: Katie Wilson

Katie is a freedom freelancer, prayerful painter and clarion for Christ.  Catch up with Katie on her blog at https://psalm8110.com

Tags: connectivity, empathy, Huntsville, Katie Wilson, Memorial Day, Our City On A Hill, waiting