Social Media – Facebook, Instagram, TikTok – some hate it, some love it, a few are casual users. I confess to signing into my accounts on a daily basis. I enjoy seeing pictures of friends and family, reading about where people have been, what they are doing in life.
Can social media be a time waster? It sure can. Mindless scrolling through video reels can eat an hour without conscious thought.
Can it be addictive? Yes, again.
Is it a great way to connect with people? In my opinion, yes, too! Last night our pastor posted a prayer need on our church’s ‘virtual prayer room’ and in just a few moments, a dozen people connected and promised to pray!
You are I are mostly connected for this devotional thought through some social media platform, and I hope that the time spent ‘together’ is beneficial.
However – the virtual connection can never replace flesh and blood friendships. There is no way a Facebook post will ever replace a shared meal; laughing together, being around each other. Our church offers an ‘online’ experience for those who cannot make it to the church building. But it is a poor substitute for being in the same room, singing, prayer, and hearing the Word with others.
Yet I am convinced that virtual ties enhance the living one.
Why do we enjoy connections?
God made us to be social! The circle of friends in our lives steady us, encourage us, and help us to avoid that sense of meaninglessness that so often accompanies anonymity. Real and living social interaction keeps us healthy- physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
The Proverbs reminds us that “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” (Proverbs 17:17, NLT) Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, said “In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge. They keep the young out of mischief; they comfort and aid the old in their weakness, and they incite those in the prime of life to noble deeds.”
Friendships do not simply form and sustain themselves. Like all things of value, they must be cultivated, protected, and strengthened by investment of time and energy. Are you building friendships? Are you forming and nurturing connections with other people?
A healthy Christian cannot be a Lone Ranger, even though he realizes that relationships can be trying as well as a blessing. He will not give in to misunderstandings or hurt feelings. Jesus said, “This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” (John 13:35, The Message) The quality of that love is such that relationships take priority over convenience, work obligations, and even personal feelings! We are committed to one another.
Paul’s prime illustration for the Christian’s connection to others is the human body. My body is a collection of limbs and organs, different parts, still – a unit- each part critical to the function of the whole! Of Christians he says – “You are Christ’s body—that’s who you are! You must never forget this. Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything.”
The wisdom of the Word reminds us that “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. …Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.” (1 Corinthians 12)
Let’s be friends – real, loving, deeply connected with others. You might think you’re strong, not really in need of others at this time. Let me tell you from personal experience – the time will come, sooner or later, when you will need others. I am now in a season of life when I cannot even imagine how I would live well without the amazing friends that share life with me, who cry with me, who laugh with me, who share my worship of God.
Here is a word from the Word. “If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:10-12, NLT)
We are, indeed, better together!
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CoffeeBreak With The Word 
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