There is a great deal of talk in this day and age regarding “getting my needs met,” “what I need to be fulfilled,” “what I want,” and so on. This generation is often labeled by its needs, expectations, and entitlements. I find it not surprising that in the wave of technological advances, we have the i-phone, i-pod, i-pad, and many other items that are “me” oriented. I want my desires to be addressed and even catered to.
Bill Cosby has said that some of the things that are the funniest are those things that are simply true. I love the cartoon above because it is so very true. As I work to get my needs met, I often do so by tuning out the world and those around me and withdrawing into my own reality. In doing so, I may find solace and safety because others can’t hurt me. But in doing so, I also find myself alone.
Now don’t get me wrong, there are certainly times and places when solace is necessary and important. We find in the scriptures that an important part of Jesus’ love and ministry to people was his need for times of retreat and intimacy with God the Father. But those times were important, not to separate from people but to re-energize for people. We also need times of introspection so that we can better engage people, particularly our loved ones.
The challenge, at times, is finding the balance. If, as in the cartoon, my i-pod (or i-phone, or TV, or video game) replaces my face to face connection with my most important relationships, then I am probably out of balance. In order for my connections with the significant people in my life to thrive, I need to make communication with them, in a fully present manner, a top priority. As you think about your relationships – who do you need to set the “i-stuff” aside for today in order to reconnect in life giving ways?