Face-Time, In A Facebook World

One of the oddities of the English language is all the words that mean "group." For example, we refer to a crowd of people -- a box of crayons -- and a pad of paper.  But the most striking ‘group names’ are related to animals.  Why we refer to: an army of ants -- a kindle of kittens -- a charm of hummingbirds – a murder of crows --a knot of toads -- a movement of moles, and my favorite -- a congress of baboons!

As we enter scripture, we see a similar trend in relation to the church.  Why multiple names are used to describe us, the people of God.  Why we’re called ‘the assembly of the upright,’ in Psalm 111:1 – ‘the branch of God’s planting,’ in Isaiah 60:21 – ‘the flock of God,’ in Ezekiel 34:15 – ‘the fold of Christ,’ in John 10:16 – ‘the congregation of the Lord’s poor,’ in Psalm 74:19 – ‘the pillar and ground of truth,’ in 1 Timothy 3:15 – ‘the lot of God’s inheritance,’ in Deuteronomy 32:9.  

But my favorite is in Ephesians 3:15 where we're referred to as ‘the family in heaven and earth.’  For fundamentally, we are family, as Christ's church.   Sure we’re an organization, a gathering, a congregation.  But at our core, we’re kin-folk, related through the blood of Jesus. Yes, once we were not family, we were estranged, “…but now in Christ Jesus” Paul clarifies in Ephesians 2, “you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ…”  (Ephesians 2:13).   

Such nearness, such community is vital, because we live in an alienated, lonely world.  In fact, Steven Marche argues in the current issue of The Atlantic Monthly, “…we have never been…lonelier.”  Why “social media—from Facebook to Twitter – have made us more densely networked…Yet for all this connectivity…we have never been [more detached].”  Why “…in 1985…10 percent of Americans said they had no one…to discuss important matters [with]…[But] by 2004, 25 percent [said they] had nobody to talk to…” steven Marche, Is Facebook Making You Lonely, The Atlantic Monthly, May, 2012 http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/05/is-facebook-making-us-lonely/8930/   

About a year ago, Kevin Syes our youth and young adult pastor preached a powerful sermon on social media.  As he ended the sermon, he reminded us of the value of social media tools, such as Facebook, but  reminded us there was an endeavor even more vital.  The endeavor? Face-time.  For in a fractured, alienated society, our greatest need is greater intimacy; a larger sense of community, of family in Jesus.

Such communal reality sends a powerful message:  you are wanted -- you are needed -- you are loved.  For in Jesus “… [we] are no longer foreigners and aliens but…members of God’s household…” (Ephesians 2:19-20).  In a Facebook world – face-time is possible!  For in Jesus  "...you who once were far away, have [now] been brought near..."  (Ephesians 2:13).  In Jesus, you who were once alienated, are now 'face to face,' for in Jesus we are no longer 'in categories,' we are 'in community': bound, united by His Holy, remarkable, unbelievable, love!

And so seek out some face-time this week, beginning with the family of God, and then, reaching out beyond, and including other lonely folk as well!