Wednesday, December 20, 2006

High-tech vs. Low-tech and Personal Interaction

Today was a very low-tech kind of day. Yesterday my wife and I switched cars. This morning I was about to leave for work and realized there was a problem. She still had my keys! Being only about 2 miles from church and realizing I needed to do more walking anyway, I set out on foot. The weather was pleasant, a sunny 77 degrees. I even broke a light sweat before reaching the church building. I noticed things I had never noticed before on the road between my home and the church. There were many opportunities to say "hello" to people. It turns out, taking time to be "low-tech" actually has many benefits.

I wonder if that decrease in technology actually leads to an increase in connections with others. We may be tempted to say that without technology we couldn't reach all the people we do. While that is true in part, I also think there is something special about face-to-face interaction that technology just can't compete with. The phrase "face to face" is used 4 times in the New Testament (1 Cor 13:12, 2 Cor 10:1, 2 John 1:12, & 3 John 1:14). In each of these instances it seems that there is a greater depth of knowledge and connection when you are face to face with someone or something. I need more "face to face" time with others. I am thinking I may do more walking in the future.

I wonder if this slower pace and more personal interaction with others has anything to do with the growth of the early church. You know Paul wasn't driving by countless people on a daily basis with windows rolled up and radio playing. He was interacting with people when he travelled. He was making connections. I have been challenged today to slow down and take the time to be "low-tech" more often and hopefully that will give me the opportunity to really get to know more people who otherwise I may never have seen the opportunity to talk to.

8 comments:

Bob Bliss said...

Amazing how annoying situations can bring out the best thinking in us.

Anonymous said...

really good thoughts. we just go on assuming that technology is the greatest thing ever without considering how it changes things in ways that may not be so good.
thanks

preacherman said...

Great post as always brother!
I always love reading your blog and look forward to reading your new blog that you have. Is it a group blog? Sounds cool.

I want to thank you for your prayers and contined prayers I continued to heal and recover.

God bless you.

In Him
Kinney
AKA Preacherman

Bob Bliss said...

Matt,
Have your read "The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture" By Shane Hipps? I'm about finished with it. So far a good read. Perhaps it might provide further food for your walk to the building in the future.

James T Wood said...

Um . . . does anyone else find it ironic that this post about connecting in the absence of technology is only made possible by technology and these connections are sustained by that same technology?

Lisa said...

You can both embrace technology & enjoy times that you're without it. Technology can be used for good ... keeping in touch with friends far away, for example. We can also appreciate not having technology at times ... a quiet retreat where our reflections are focused on God instead of our to-do list.

Stoned-Campbell Disciple said...

Merry Christmas.

Shalom,
Bobby Valentine

Matt said...

I will have to check that book out Bob, thanks for the recommendation.

Religion Blogs - Blog Top Sites Christian Blog Topsites