SMS or Pony Express?
Sometimes the old fashioned way is far superior to more ‘cutting edge’ approaches.
I think that’s likely the case when it comes to our communication today, too. I choose the form based on what needs to be said and for whom the message is intended.
With my life-long family friends, some of whom don’t use a computer (gasp!), snail mail still reigns supreme. It might take a long time to arrive, but it is received with joy, spread out on the kitchen table over a cup of tea. A lengthy reply will come, but perhaps not for weeks.
To tap friends with some details of my life that don’t warrant a quick response but have some finer points that deserve embellishment, I send an email.
When dialog is essentially unnecessary and I’m just trading information — desirous of an expedient reply — a text message is the way to go.
What on earth does this have to do with anything ‘spiritual’? Fair question.
My communication with God has suffered of late. No particular trigger. No bad experience or painful situation causing me to avoid Him. Just less of it. In shorter bursts. More of an information exchange than a conversation with the Lover of my soul.
Turns out, I’ve been ‘texting’ God.
- I’ve been firing off prayer requests on behalf of friends in a staccato reminiscent of gunshots.
- I return thanks for meals and other provisions, my eyes barely blinking in the time it takes to complete the prayer.
- I’ll ask for insight into the scriptures or situations, only to cross my arms and tap my toes impatiently if my so-called prayer doesn’t bounce back with SMS speed.
Is He away from His ‘phone’ or out of range? Certainly not. And He is capable of response before the words even form on my lips. The problem lies in me. (Obviously, Kirsten.)
I fail repeatedly to remember the purpose of prayer: to cultivate in my heart a deeper connection to Him and to learn how to align my will with His — not vice-versa.
For these to take place, I must commit to more than a mere exchange of information and yield myself to the interaction of a hand-written missive of old. One ripe with anticipation, detail and delight, unbound from mental lists and calendar appointments.
Texting God? Guilty. I’ve always referred to them as “arrow prayers.” Those kinds of prayers are inevitable when we’re rushing and distracted, but they’re not the stuff of intimacy.
I smiled when I read this — The problem lies in me.
Me too, Kirsten 🙂
Arrow prayers (I’ve called them that, too!) are necessary in those moments when we need the words, for example, to respond to an unanticipated question or problem. But aren’t, as you so succinctly pointed out, the ingredients that build a relationship with God. Thanks, Susan!
Texting God? Guilty. I’ve always referred to them as “arrow prayers.” Those kinds of prayers are inevitable when we’re rushing and distracted, but they’re not the stuff of intimacy.
I smiled when I read this — The problem lies in me.
Me too, Kirsten 🙂
Texting God? Guilty. I’ve always referred to them as “arrow prayers.” Those kinds of prayers are inevitable when we’re rushing and distracted, but they’re not the stuff of intimacy.
I smiled when I read this — The problem lies in me.
Me too, Kirsten 🙂
Arrow prayers (I’ve called them that, too!) are necessary in those moments when we need the words, for example, to respond to an unanticipated question or problem. But aren’t, as you so succinctly pointed out, the ingredients that build a relationship with God. Thanks, Susan!
Great points Kirsten. Sometimes we do just fire off quick prayers as the situation arises, and we kind of expect Him to answer the same way rather than having an actual conversation with Him and waiting to hear what He has to say. Great reminder to SLOW DOWN and become less busy so we take the time to be thoughtful and to listen.
Great points Kirsten. Sometimes we do just fire off quick prayers as the situation arises, and we kind of expect Him to answer the same way rather than having an actual conversation with Him and waiting to hear what He has to say. Great reminder to SLOW DOWN and become less busy so we take the time to be thoughtful and to listen.
It’s amazing how caught up I get in the ‘other things’ to do approach as if anything could be more important than communing with Him. Slow down… slow down. I appreciate your feedback and thoughts, Lisa!
Great points Kirsten. Sometimes we do just fire off quick prayers as the situation arises, and we kind of expect Him to answer the same way rather than having an actual conversation with Him and waiting to hear what He has to say. Great reminder to SLOW DOWN and become less busy so we take the time to be thoughtful and to listen.
Great points Kirsten. Sometimes we do just fire off quick prayers as the situation arises, and we kind of expect Him to answer the same way rather than having an actual conversation with Him and waiting to hear what He has to say. Great reminder to SLOW DOWN and become less busy so we take the time to be thoughtful and to listen.
It’s amazing how caught up I get in the ‘other things’ to do approach as if anything could be more important than communing with Him. Slow down… slow down. I appreciate your feedback and thoughts, Lisa!
Excellent post Kirsten!
Great analogy with texting too . . . guilty as charged! 🙂 I love how you said to have a conversation with the Lover of our souls and your quote from the missionary is so good.
I don’t know if “Pray” magazine still exists but you should try to submit this to them, I believe others would be blessed by it too!
Love, Hester 😉
Here’s the quote Hester is referring to for those who don’t receive the blog via email (where it was included). Thanks, Hester, for the suggestion to submit – I’ll check it out!
“The essence of prayer does not consist in asking God for something but in opening our hearts to God, in speaking with Him, and living with Him in perpetual communion. Prayer is continual abandonment to God. Prayer does not mean asking God for all kinds of things we want; it is rather the desire for God Himself, the only Giver of Life, Prayer is not asking, but union with God. Prayer is not a painful effort to gain from God help in the varying needs of our lives. Prayer is the desire to possess God Himself, the Source of all life. The true spirit of prayer does not consist in asking for blessings, but in receiving Him who is the giver of all blessings, and in living a life of fellowship with Him.”
– Sadhu Sundar Singh (Christian Missionary to India)
Excellent post Kirsten!
Great analogy with texting too . . . guilty as charged! 🙂 I love how you said to have a conversation with the Lover of our souls and your quote from the missionary is so good.
I don’t know if “Pray” magazine still exists but you should try to submit this to them, I believe others would be blessed by it too!
Love, Hester 😉
Excellent post Kirsten!
Great analogy with texting too . . . guilty as charged! 🙂 I love how you said to have a conversation with the Lover of our souls and your quote from the missionary is so good.
I don’t know if “Pray” magazine still exists but you should try to submit this to them, I believe others would be blessed by it too!
Love, Hester 😉
Excellent post Kirsten!
Great analogy with texting too . . . guilty as charged! 🙂 I love how you said to have a conversation with the Lover of our souls and your quote from the missionary is so good.
I don’t know if “Pray” magazine still exists but you should try to submit this to them, I believe others would be blessed by it too!
Love, Hester 😉
Here’s the quote Hester is referring to for those who don’t receive the blog via email (where it was included). Thanks, Hester, for the suggestion to submit – I’ll check it out!
“The essence of prayer does not consist in asking God for something but in opening our hearts to God, in speaking with Him, and living with Him in perpetual communion. Prayer is continual abandonment to God. Prayer does not mean asking God for all kinds of things we want; it is rather the desire for God Himself, the only Giver of Life, Prayer is not asking, but union with God. Prayer is not a painful effort to gain from God help in the varying needs of our lives. Prayer is the desire to possess God Himself, the Source of all life. The true spirit of prayer does not consist in asking for blessings, but in receiving Him who is the giver of all blessings, and in living a life of fellowship with Him.”
– Sadhu Sundar Singh (Christian Missionary to India)
Thank you Kirsten! I sooo look forward to getting your emails in my inbox. I always try to put them aside to read when I have more than “text message time”. Just this morning I was convicted again that I need to take more time to be on my face before my Lord – listening, thanking and getting further direction for each day of my life. Thanks for confirming that thought this afternoon. Text messages and e-mails are ok but there is nothing like opening those handwritten letters from my friend, Jesus! Blessings to you!
Thank you Kirsten! I sooo look forward to getting your emails in my inbox. I always try to put them aside to read when I have more than “text message time”. Just this morning I was convicted again that I need to take more time to be on my face before my Lord – listening, thanking and getting further direction for each day of my life. Thanks for confirming that thought this afternoon. Text messages and e-mails are ok but there is nothing like opening those handwritten letters from my friend, Jesus! Blessings to you!
Well said, Cindy — there’s nothing like it. Here’s to more time with Him in coming days. 🙂
Well said, Cindy — there’s nothing like it. Here’s to more time with Him in coming days. 🙂