I’m a proud member of the 80’s “hairband club”. Yes, I’ll admit it. I used to look forward to the Headbangers Ball on MTV many years ago and even though I couldn’t understand some of the lyrics, I really enjoyed the bombastic, albeit somewhat cheesy songs, much to the horror of my mom who thought all of those guys were going to hell. Some probably did. But, there was (and I guess still is) a band called, Ratt. Yes, like the rodent. The title of one of their songs was, Lack of Communication and part of the song went like this (hum along if you know it):

Too many problems, the world can’t solve
Too many people, no-one wants to be involved
Keep rearranging, it’s all the same
Always saying, someone else is to blame
(Lack of communication, back off)
Look all around me, who’s standin’ tall
Hold tight, no-one’s gonna answer your call
(Lack of communication, back off)
Put up our boundaries, we build our walls
It’s alright, no-one’s gonna change us at all
(Lack of communication, back off)

As I have watched technology evolve over the past 10-20 years, I have come to notice that we have lost the art of true communication. Think about it. When was the last time that you picked up the phone or met someone face to face as your PRIMARY way of communicating? I am all for technology and I’m using part of it now through this blog. This is a great tool to use when you feel like sharing some thoughts that will hopefully encourage those around you. And, of course, it feeds the need in all of us to be heard. But, we are in danger of losing touch with real, relational communication if we can’t put down our cell phones for just a minute. From these tiny phones we can update our Facebook status, send a Twitter, text someone, send an email, or even blog. There are probably more ways and I’m just missing them.

I’m guilty of having relationships from a distance and not picking up the phone or knocking on someone’s door. I grew up in a very relational church where I was always with friends. Sadly, today, I can carry on in depth conversations through a text message, or an email, and never really feel like I’m communicating. There is no voice, no emotion, and no feeling. It’s very robotic.

I believe that our relationship with Jesus can also be the same. When is the last time we read the Bible without any “props”? There are some great writers out there but none of them can take the place of Jesus. Not a one. When was the last time that we hid from those around us just to have some time with Him? Elementary stuff, I know, but every football player that is in training camp has to go through the basic routines all over again, every season. It forms the foundation of what they do and how they do it, regardless of status.

Recently, I have come to a place in my life where I have been unsettled and unfulfilled. Waiting on God is very hard. I’ve also found that over the past three years of searching for a ministry position I have done more communicating with people (those in the know) than with Jesus. There is something wrong with that picture.

An old farmer in Delaware once told me that 85% of the worlds problems could be solved if we would just learn to communicate with each other. He’s old school and looks you in the eye. I’m challenging myself and I’ll challenge you to keep communicating by any means necessary but never let the art of face to face communication take a back seat to your Twitter account.