My latest addiction is ‘Facebook’ (FB). It has put me in touch with folk I haven’t heard from for yonks. In Edinburgh for the General Assembly I met up with 3 different folk I hadn’t seen previpously for a total of 65 years! I’ve enjoyed the craic & chat with friends in Scotland, N Ireland, Eire, Switzerland, France, Germany, Africa, USA, Canada, Oz & NZ, to name a few. I’ve mentioned things that I needed & friends have been quick to offer help or ideas. I’ve kept abreast with my daughter’s Aberdeen adventure more easily & enjoyed seeing friends’ photos & videos. I’ve had live pastoral conversations with folk & been alerted to friends who are struggling. I’ve followed suggested links to interesting & hilarious clips / info’ & been more able to let friends plug into my own blog, if in the mood for some ‘Turkey Gobbledigook”. I’m a strong Believer!
However, there are dangers. I’m constantly tempted to spend more time than is healthy on FB & get sucked into FB when I should be doing something else; but the greatest danger is that I forget ‘Face to Face’ is better than ‘Facebook’. My wife likes to point out to all converts in our household (everyone but her!) that it would be nice if, rather than facebooking with people all over the world, if we’d speak face to face with her & one another. So much wonderful technology, like computers, mobile phones, televisions (in every room), can rob us of ‘face to face’ communion with one family & neighbours.
I don’t believe in a God who simply sends an email or ‘Faithbook’ message from The Bible. I trust in a God who meets humanity face to face in the face of Jesus. I am stoked to be in relationship with this loving God who helps me by Jesus’ Spirit to care for people in my home, neighbourhood & world, face to face, where possible.
So, while I sing the praises of Facebook, I also want to say, don’t settle for second best when it comes to relationships! “Keep Community Real, not Virtual!”
Minister
