I'm currently reading a book entitled Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture by Adam S. McHugh. Whether introvert, extrovert, or somewhere in-between, we would all do well to be aware that our use of social networking tends to replace real-life relationships, leaving us relationally malnourished.
"Technology allures us with the illusion of intimacy but not the reality of it. We may be regularly communicating with others and yet painfully alone. Shane Hipps, author of The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture, says that "if your relationships are comprised of a disproportionate amount of mediated communication you will be relationally, spiritually, and emotionally malnourished." Technology can become for us a hiding place, a drug we take to escape from our negative emotions and experiences. It can expose the shadow side of our imaginations, taking us into a nameless fantasy world where we can feed our addictions, all the while aggravating our sense of isolation from others, God, and even ourselves. We must become aware of these traps of modern technology and use its immense benefits without letting it overpower us."How much better to have a friend over for that afternoon cup of tea and a live chat, or meet at a local coffee shop or tea room with a group of friends. Look each other in the eyes and feel one another's emotions, hopes, joys, struggles. Be one another's encouragement in a culture that's noisy and disconnected and lonely. Then hug each other goodbye and keep them in your mind's eye for several days to come. That's real connection, folks. And if the electricity goes off, you can even do without the tea or coffee.
