You may think I am talking about entering back into society from the Covid-19 isolation, but I am not. The question is based on your Christian witness. Long before the pandemic we as a society have been in more of a habit of social isolation. The most interesting dynamic is that this social segregation is not by necessity, but rather by choice.
With culture constantly gaining speed, encouraging isolation, and relying on social media, most people’s influence on other humans is shrinking. Technology is replacing actual personal engagement. We work to restrict the number of people we actually need to “do life.” While we may not ever admit it, we view many in our circles as expendable.
Statistics tell us that the average social media user has 338 “friends”. But that same typical user if faced with a personal crisis would actually trust only four of those people. So only about 2% of those who are online “friends” are actually authentic with the potential of regular face-to-face interaction and dependence. The gap between virtual friends and actual friends is widening by the year.
As Christ followers living in this culture, we all must ask ourselves: In any given week, how much eye-to-eye, heart-to-heart ministry is occurring in our lives? That question is not about creating guilt, but simply making an honest evaluation of our actual influence and interaction. So how should we respond?
If we are going to truly impact the world for the cause of Christ, this will occur through God’s original plan where we as His followers love our neighbors. God entrusted us with His answer for mankind’s eternal problem. So in response to this great act of trust we must choose interaction and come out of isolation.
(Read Acts 2:42–47 =take note of all the togetherness and sharing—the interaction!) Decide today that you will look for moments to genuinely interact in an unhurried and intentional manner. Just see what God will do to bring blessing in your life and the life of the kingdom, through you.
In His Service,
Eric Barnes
