One of the great problems of this Age is communication, or at least, the lack of it. It’s a strange anomaly that we live in an Age where the means of communication have never been more accessible on the one hand, yet where the communication gap has widened considerably, on the other. Years ago the only means of communication was word of mouth. If you needed to send a message a great distance then it was necessary for you to use a messenger or messengers. Eventually, as mankind progressed, so did his powers of communication, and letters could be sent by messenger, ensuring that what was delivered was what you wanted to say without embellishment. As the years progressed we entered the era of the telegraph and telephone systems, and communication became far easier. People also used the mail to maintain relationships, and even as a hobby in the case of pen-friends. The latest news could be relayed to us in an instant via the radio and, ultimately, the television. We had arrived in the ‘Golden Age’ as far as communication was concerned.When I was at school there were Public Speaking contests for schoolchildren, for it was recognised that, in order to be an achiever in this world, you needed to be able to communicate as well as possible.
The ‘Electronic Age’ has advanced us in so many ways, yet when it comes to communication, despite the advances that are open to us, such as email and text messaging, communication has suffered drastically.
Our children have grown up — and continue to grow up — lacking the power of communication. The grunts of the teenage years are often carried into adulthood. Children isolate themselves in their rooms in front of a TV or computer screen, spending their time playing games that may accelerate reaction yet decelerate human interaction. When meals are taken to the bedroom as well, to be eaten in isolation, then the death of communication in family life is almost complete.
When we fail to talk to each other in a meaningful way, how can we talk to God either. Is it not true therefore, that the demise of church attendance is down to a lack of communication, and that the ‘Golden Age’ is not only over, but dead and buried as well?
Let’s pray for a revival in communication skills, and start talking to each other meaningfully once more!
The ‘Electronic Age’ has advanced us in so many ways, yet when it comes to communication, despite the advances that are open to us, such as email and text messaging, communication has suffered drastically.
Our children have grown up — and continue to grow up — lacking the power of communication. The grunts of the teenage years are often carried into adulthood. Children isolate themselves in their rooms in front of a TV or computer screen, spending their time playing games that may accelerate reaction yet decelerate human interaction. When meals are taken to the bedroom as well, to be eaten in isolation, then the death of communication in family life is almost complete.
When we fail to talk to each other in a meaningful way, how can we talk to God either. Is it not true therefore, that the demise of church attendance is down to a lack of communication, and that the ‘Golden Age’ is not only over, but dead and buried as well?
Let’s pray for a revival in communication skills, and start talking to each other meaningfully once more!
The above comment may be found in the May/June issue of 'The Voice Christian News & Views' magazine, available absolutely free of charge by going to http://www.voicepublications/ and registering on-line.
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