Face to Face

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PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
2 John 1 (click the link)


KEY VERSES:
I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. (2 John 1:12, NIV)


MAIN IDEA:
Well, this passage speaks about obedience to God’s commands, tells us that His command is to walk in love, and then warns us to not follow the antichrist(s).  There really is good meat in this short book.


REFLECTIONS:
Technology.  What a wonderful time we live in with “insta” news on the internet, fast food, movies that we don’t even have to drive to rent anymore.  Our cell phones are mini computers that always keep us tethered to the latest news or Facebook update.  Maybe, you notice like I do, people in all kinds of places and many of them have cell phone in hand, face glued to the screen.  They could have good reason, I don’t doubt that, it just makes me curious as to what really is going on with us.  I can’t help but wonder how our personal communication skills have changed with technology.  Boy, I know it sure is easier to send an e-mail or text when I need to tell someone “no,” easier even then a phone call.  Easier to have a text conversation than to sit with someone and look them in the eye, to have to be “present” with another person.  I guess I can only speak for myself, so as one that has hiding nailed down to an art, technology has made it easier for me to do just that.  I use the fig leaf of technology to avoid truly engaging with people, because for me when I open up and engage my heart to another’s, well I might get hurt, and that’s not fun.

But maybe the other side of this self-preservation mode, is that we hurt everyone around us to some degree when we do not engage.  We say to others “Maybe you should do this too, sure will save you some pain. Intimacy just isn’t worth it.”  I mean, let’s face it when we open our hearts to any degree... it’s a degree of intimacy. When we sit and listen… really listen to another’s words… that’s intimacy with them.  Picture Jesus listening to those around him. Do you imagine Him ever not engaging them completely? Even those that opposed him, was His heart even hidden from them?

I guess what I’m hearing in this is that joy can be complete with face to face engaging those we love.


POINT OF ACTION:
Engage those you love.  Maybe instead of texting a word of encouragement, tell it to their face.


PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, we ask that you would strip us of our fig leaves, that we would be left naked and bare before, and that you would, in that moment, show us that we are okay, that you love us, that you even pursue us.  God we ask for deep intimacy with you, just as Jesus had, and that it will overflow into our relationships.  We love you Father.  You have our permission to break down all walls that keep us from intimacy with you.  We praise you and worship you.  You are Holy.  We ask this in Jesus’ name amen.


WHO AM I?
I am Justin Wright.