These are our two deepest desires.
In an ultimate sense, we were designed to know God and be known by Him. There is no knowing richer than that. Without God, we will look for others to know us in the way only God can.
After this, we were designed to know others and be known by them. Man was not made to be alone (nor even to simply be known by other men for that matter). It is only in community of fellowship that we grow (as iron sharpens iron). And while it is the bonds of this community that can bring out our deepest sorrows they also bring incredible joys. A person cannot have near the same kind of intricate and intimate relationship with a dog as they can with another person. Why is this? There is not much about me a dog can know (and empathize, sympathize with, etc.), nor is there much about a dog for me to know. But of another person - well, why else could a friendship last a lifetime than that the knowing of one another never ceased and always grew. There was and always is more.
This is probably why we are really attracted to things like Facebook. It allows us (on a superficial level) to make ourselves known (inasmuch as we are honest about ourselves) and know others (inasmuch as they are honest).
But whatever happened to real knowing, to truly being with someone? I learned a good practice recently when with friends I hope to spread and practice more on my own now. When out to eat (or I suppose this could apply to when simply hanging out without food), everyone stacks their phones on the table and is not allowed to get their phone til the meeting disperses. Of course, we've all been out with others and either been on our phone ourselves for some reason (check facebook perhaps, since our current friend isn't enough?) and our friend has been on their phone. This puts an end to all that. We can get on our phones anytime. But during this time of fellowship with with others, why should we act as if a text or app is more important than they are at that present time? Like most rules, this probably shouldn't be stuck to religiously (a friend of mine does on occasion get urgent calls or emails), but sticking to it even for a few minutes could make a world of difference in your ability to truly be with someone and their ability to truly be and listen to you.
In an ultimate sense, we were designed to know God and be known by Him. There is no knowing richer than that. Without God, we will look for others to know us in the way only God can.
After this, we were designed to know others and be known by them. Man was not made to be alone (nor even to simply be known by other men for that matter). It is only in community of fellowship that we grow (as iron sharpens iron). And while it is the bonds of this community that can bring out our deepest sorrows they also bring incredible joys. A person cannot have near the same kind of intricate and intimate relationship with a dog as they can with another person. Why is this? There is not much about me a dog can know (and empathize, sympathize with, etc.), nor is there much about a dog for me to know. But of another person - well, why else could a friendship last a lifetime than that the knowing of one another never ceased and always grew. There was and always is more.
This is probably why we are really attracted to things like Facebook. It allows us (on a superficial level) to make ourselves known (inasmuch as we are honest about ourselves) and know others (inasmuch as they are honest).
But whatever happened to real knowing, to truly being with someone? I learned a good practice recently when with friends I hope to spread and practice more on my own now. When out to eat (or I suppose this could apply to when simply hanging out without food), everyone stacks their phones on the table and is not allowed to get their phone til the meeting disperses. Of course, we've all been out with others and either been on our phone ourselves for some reason (check facebook perhaps, since our current friend isn't enough?) and our friend has been on their phone. This puts an end to all that. We can get on our phones anytime. But during this time of fellowship with with others, why should we act as if a text or app is more important than they are at that present time? Like most rules, this probably shouldn't be stuck to religiously (a friend of mine does on occasion get urgent calls or emails), but sticking to it even for a few minutes could make a world of difference in your ability to truly be with someone and their ability to truly be and listen to you.
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