Social Silence

Have a real conversation with someone today.  Truly connect with that person.  Demonstrate to them that they have value.  Be Jesus to someone today. Be encouraging!

I’ve been wondering about the changes we are experiencing and endorsing so enthusiastically.  They are coming at a fast pace via the internet and social media.  Even my Windows computer is now determined to link with my phone, though I have not directed it to do so.  And simply considering social media is not to mention the increasing presence of TV via its wifi stream.

Sometimes I feel like we are caught in a tidal wave and the affect on our lives will be of tsunami proportions.

I recently took a nostalgic walk down the pathway of memory lane.  I liked them in my past and the words written by a poet/musician in 1964 have withstood the test of time.  Although they were comforting to me when I sought affirmation in my youth, they now speak more clearly of loneliness and isolation. They seem to be prophetic.  Hear what Paul Simon said in, “The Sound of Silence.”

“And in the naked light I saw,

Ten thousand people, maybe more.

People talking without speaking,

People hearing without listening.

People writing songs that voices never share,

No one dare,

Disturb the sound of silence.”

I wonder if our “connected” age of instant messaging, texts, emails, and social media has resulted in a lack of real communication – hence, the “sound of silence.”

It seems to me that people visit with each other much less these days, and that intimate, engaging conversation is becoming a real rarity.

Yes, I am posting these sentiments on Facebook.  Perhaps this writing is therefore an exercise of futile contradiction; but who will hear otherwise?  Dare I, we, disturb the “sound of silence?”

The poet continues:

“ ‘Fools’ said I, ‘You do not know,

Silence like a cancer grows.

Hear my words that I might teach you,

Take my arms that I might reach you.’

But my words like silent raindrops fell,

And echoed in the wells of silence.”

And the questions echo in my brain with haunting reverberation: is the new social way of the internet God’s way, or is it the snare of a trap?  Can we use it for His glory, somehow… with determination and discipline?  But how?

The poet concludes:

“And the people bowed and prayed,

To the neon god they made.

And the sign flashed out its warning,

In the words that it was forming.

And the sign said, ‘The words of the prophets

Are written on the subway walls,

And tenement halls,

And whispered in the sounds of silence.’”

Yes, I know that I am only “whispering,” with this post.  But, perhaps you would like to share it…?

More importantly, let’s claim social media with grace, being intentional to encourage each other with witness to Truth.  This is my purpose for The Contemporary Christian.

www.facebook.com/groups/thecontemporarychristian

Check it out, consider joining our discussion, and invite others who are like minded and kind hearted.

And yes, take the time to really talk to someone today.

God Bless!!