Go to the local fast food restaurant and watch how people, families even, treat each other. Their actions say, “You’re not worth my full attention, so I’ll offer you an occasional acknowledgement, either verbally or visually, so you don’t feel like whatever you’re saying to me is completely worthless.”
In my own life I’ve found that with the majority of people I talk to, especially with those in younger generations, if I want the conversation to last any longer than 10-15 seconds, I must be willing to be their sounding board. Frankly, that’s about the only time I can get most people to stop staring at their smart phones. People vomit all over me (figuratively speaking) and then close down whenever I try to respond. It’s offensive.
Human interaction isn’t the same as it used to be. I’m not quite sure how to explain what I see, other than people don’t actually care about what other people might have to say. The opportunity to converse meaningfully seems all but lost nowadays. It’s an affront of the most severe degree.
The most important person (besides the Lord) in your life ought to be the one standing right in front of you at any given moment. In other words, it’s really important for others to know that you are invested in them. Consider Jesus. That is how He was. When you read the Gospels you see a man trying to connect with people.
Connecting with others cannot happen if one of the parties isn’t present - I’m speaking figuratively, of course.
Consider how devoted Jesus was to those who were around Him. When He dined with them, He gave them His full attention. They were assured of His presence. It didn’t matter who it was either, be they prostitutes or tax collectors. Jesus was present. Are you like that?
Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
— John 13:33-35
Do you see how present Jesus was with those He was with? He practiced what He preached, for it’s a genuine show of love to be present when you’re physically with someone and, conversely, not so much if you’re not. I, personally, find it very discouraging to speak to the backside of someone’s cell phone while they feign interest in whatever shred of conversation might be occurring between us.
Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:11
I think some of my greatest regrets as a father is knowing how many times over the years I wasn’t present when my sons were speaking to me (I’m not saying I did that all the time). In retrospect, my greatest fear is that they took my failure personally. I mean, isn’t it understandable that a son would feel a bit unloved if their father were absent from a conversation while it was occurring? Love is the tie that binds us. It’s the fabric of Christ, Himself, who is love incarnate, who always made a point of being present with others.
Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
— Colossians 3:14
One of the greatest things about a relationship with Christ is simply knowing that He’s always present, always listening, always loving. We ought to practice being present like Jesus was. Maybe, just maybe, people will see more of Christ in us; that His presence would become our own in a way. This would be truly good - people would experience His precious love as a result.
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins
