When I was a minor, I spoke as a minor, I was disposed as a minor, I took account of things as a minor. Yet when I became a man, I have discarded that which is a minor's.
Paul To The Corinthians (1) 13: 11, Concordant New Testament
Let me just begin by saying that I have never had the opportunity to raise a child in the ways of life. However, I HAVE had the opportunity to babysit over young bucks, even when I didn't care to. Case in point, at the gym the other day I noticed a young man walking around the gym looking at people as if he was lost. At first I passed it off as someone who was getting the feel for the place. I see a lot of people like that. Yet, no matter where I went, this same kid was there staring. Eventually it came to the point where I approached him and asked if he needed help. Well, it turns out that he was indeed looking for weights, but that he had been far too afraid to ask anyone. So, I assisted him. Not long after that I noticed the same kid staring at his phone and tapping away text messages like wildfire. So, I asked a friend of mine, how is it that a kid his age could be so shy and yet not so much with a cell phone in his hands? I'll tell you how, because we have raised up a generation that values electronic social interaction over human to human contact. We have raised up a generation that is deathly afraid of social interactions with others, unless it's over a keyboard. I don't need to say that this is wrong on so many levels. Most adults should be able to recognize the inhibited social interactions of some in our younger generation. However, there are grown adults out there who are also not able to communicate well with others. I can honestly say that I have been in their shoes. There was a time when I was shy to the point that it was almost debilitating. My friends would try every trick in the book in order to get me to bust out of my shell, but it took me some time. Eventually, I came to learn that talking to those around me didn't kill me after all. They say that practice makes perfect, and so it did with my own social skills. The more I interacted with people, the easier it became for me. So, what's the deal with kids these days? Are they afraid of interacting with others? If so, why? I suppose that my own experiences might play a part in the answer to that question.
Fear is not in love, but perfect love is casting out fear, for fear has chastening. Now he who is fearing is not perfected in love.
First Epistle Of John 4: 18, Concordant New Testament
Long before the days of cell throw away cell phones, when the Al Gore created internet was still coming into mainstream acceptance there were things known as chat rooms. Chat rooms were all the rage back in the late 90's. People could sit in front of their computer for hours on end communicating with others from around the country and even across the world. There were chat rooms for every interest, from religion to pornography. It was in the latter that I cut my teeth in the world of the internet. I would spend countless hours in front of a keyboard living what I now know was a alternate reality. A reality where I wasn't the shy person others saw every day, but the outgoing guy I wanted to be. Behind that keyboard, nobody was able to judge me for my appearance. Behind that keyboard, I could live my alternate reality. Sound familiar? I truly believe that this is indeed what many of our younger generation is facing these days. Afraid to interact with someone who might laugh at or criticize them. People can be cruel, and often we feel that the best alternative is to avoid them altogether. Obviously, that isn't the answer. For God never intended us to live a life of fear. It's been said that as humans we have been created by our heavenly Father to be social creatures, and I agree. Our social interactions can be a big part of our lives. I have a group of people I interact with at the gym now known as the gym rats (Yes, I now talk to others!). My friends, these gym rats, are a positive influence on me as far as motivation and companionship. How does one become a gym rat? Well, it's simple really, if I have noticed someone I see on a regular basis at the gym I will introduce myself. It all began with me challenging myself to interact with those around me. I found out that not everyone is a bad person. In my heart I know, that even if man fails me, my heavenly Father remains in me. And with each new gym rat, the truth of Christ Jesus is passed on to another.
~Scott~
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