Modern Conveniences Lead to Us Being Able to Do MORE

I sometimes think about the modern conveniences we’re so often accustomed to in the western world.

Imagine washing clothes by hand or even having to go collect water in order to wash your clothes because of no running water. Same for dishes. Or bathing. Literally everything would take so much more effort & time, even to do the simplest things.

And yet, the convenience of modern appliances, while it has made those tasks quicker & simpler, has also freed us up to take on more & do more.

In other words, our lives have continually sped up with each new convenience. Our lives haven’t gotten any less busy, just busy in a different way than before.

There Are Pros & There Are Cons…

Honestly, I think this quick-paced life has its downsides. The more technology advances, the more it seems we’re disconnected from the world going on right around us.

Yes, we have video & video-calling, which are amazing. We can text or DM someone miles away, to stay connected with loved ones far away. What a blessing! Especially for someone who has lived so far from her family for almost 13 years.

But, in all of our technology-available connections, I feel like, at least for me, it has gotten more difficult for face-to-face connections to happen.

Yonder Years

I am at the age where I remember growing up knowing all the neighbors surrounding your house. Bringing Christmas cookies to them during Christmastime & baking muffins to bring over & borrowing a cup of sugar… because, why not, we’re neighbors after all.

We spent more time outside of our house than in it. We interacted more constantly with the world going on right around us.

And I can feel the social differences nowadays. I can feel the disconnect.

How Can We Intentionally Get Back to Getting to Know Those Around Us?

I can also feel the rush around me. As if people put on their blinders, do what they set out to do, then go home. I can feel the hurry.

And the distractions are endless. The to-do lists seem endless. When do we have or make time to just sit with people? To know them?

I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this lifestyle of rush & hurry, of lacking in-person communication, is part of what drives so much anxiety & depression in society. This lack of connection with others most likely takes its toll.

We’re not as used to it, so it feels more awkward maybe.

Our Life Is on Hyperdrive… So How Can We Make Space for the Interruptions God Sends Our Way?

And then there’s the making space for one another in our lives. Are we so busy that we can’t make space for other people?

I remember in college, I was part of the student leadership team my senior year & there were plenty of times where I was behind on studying, prepping for a test or presentation, & a young lady would knock on my dorm door, asking for someone to be a shoulder for her & to pray with her.

How inconvenient with midnight fast approaching & my need to finish my work!

Where Are God’s Priorities?

But a gentle nudge got my attention, so I prayed about it in that split second of panic that had washed over me: “God, I don’t have time for this, but I want to listen to You. What do You want me to do? Honor my responsibilities & class requirements for tomorrow? Or drop it for her? What should I do, Lord?”

And every time, I got this soft, gentle whisper over my heart, as if to say, “What do you think matters more to Me? You getting a better grade? Or this hurting young woman standing in front of you?” The answer was obvious then.

Do we allow space for God to interrupt us? And I don’t mean rushing through it to fake your way through caring while you’re really tapping your foot in impatience, thinking about what you might end up missing because of this interaction… I mean, being willing to pray something similar & trust that a person hurting is more valuable to God than your to-do list?

What do you think God would say is more important to Him, if you were to ask Him?

What Can God Do?

Would you trust Him to fill in whatever you miss because of it?

Would you be willing to surrender what you think is more important for whom God deems as more important?

How is your compassion with others? What if they’re a “repeat offender” in the interruptions? How is your compassion with them then?

Do you make space for others?

Do Unto Others…

Honestly, you would think I would have been more quick to jump up & help out the young ladies who came to my door so often that year, because I am one who has experienced seasons of being even more needy than they.

I have felt the lack of space in others’ lives when I have felt great need.

I am my own object lesson & I failed to see it so often.

Is it inconvenient & sometimes uncomfortable when someone has an emotional need we may not feel we understand? Or may feel is unwarranted? Or may feel they’re too much of a repeat offender in this & should have “learned by now”? Is that uncomfortable sometimes? Yes.

Does God still care about them just the same, no matter how inconvenient or uncomfortable it is or how unwarranted it may see to you? Yes.

God Cares When No One Else Seems to Care

God cares when no one else seems to care. God cares when it’s inconvenient. God cares even when they seem to have needed to “get over it by now” & just can’t seem to be able to. God cares even when it’s uncomfortable.

We are never “too much” for God. He just keeps on caring. Long-suffering caring, if you will. Kind caring. Gentle caring. Patient caring. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

It’s no wonder this beautiful little verse exists in the Bible: “… for God is love.” (1 John 4:8)

He IS love. It is Who He IS.

Making Space for Others–Are We Too Disconnected?

Do we love like Him? Do we willingly take our hesitations, impatience, discomfort, schedule, & rush to Him & say, “God, I don’t have time for this. You KNOW my schedule. But what should I do?”

Because I can pretty much guarantee what He will do, IF you are WILLING to pray that way….

“What do you think I care about more? Your to-do list? Or this person?”

Are you making space for others in your life? Are we too disconnected to notice them? To take time for them? To allow them to inconvenience us in order to love them the way that God loves them, through Jesus?

How would you respond to that question? Would you be willing to pray that prayer?

Shine HOPE by seeking to really SEE the people around you every day… to connect… to make space in your rush for others who may come as an interruption… to love as God first loved us.

Coming Next Week

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A Note from Michelle:

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Fashion as a Force for GOOD:

Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!

Katie Bracelet (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)

Each stretch-to-fit Katie Bracelet features striking black lava beads, elegant gold accent beads, and a single luminous freshwater pearl at the center. Lava beads, formed from volcanic rock, are known for their natural, earthy texture, while the freshwater pearl adds a timeless, delicate touch. Create a matching “his and hers” moment with the Kairo Bracelet — or simply pair them together for a complete fair-trade look!

***Purchase this beautifully handcrafted Katie Bracelet, using the “Shop Here” link below, to support a safe house in the Dominican Republic, providing education, legal services, safe housing, and trauma counseling for survivors of human trafficking. Empower women on their journey to healing and restoration!***

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Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!