A Culture of Interruption
We live in a time when life seems to move and change faster than in decades past. This feeling is exacerbated by the pervasiveness of interruptions in our lives. The number of messages, alerts and notifications on our mobile devices can be staggering.
A culture of interruption keeps us moving from one “Breaking News” update to the next online message. It cultivates a busy heart and makes it harder for us to be still.
We also see the lines between work and personal time being erased. Many barely can go a few hours without a work interruption impacting family or personal time. These intrusions have a real impact on our well-being, relationships and health.
The result of this constant stream of communication is that people are more connected than ever digitally but less so personally. The number of real and authentic conversations is shrinking. The effect is more loneliness and isolation. Deep down people desire human connection but these interruptions leave us increasingly isolated and yearning for deeper, more meaningful interactions.
As I considered this topic, I looked back at recent conversations to see how often I received something in the middle of those interactions. I then looked at my own communication to see how often I interrupted the person I was speaking with. It was somewhat condemning but also a worthwhile exercise I recommend
As a ministry, we must be cognizant of this cultural phenomenon. I am reminded through watching cable news that rarely do our words become more compelling or attractive through interruption. People that are speaking generally want to be heard and letting them finish helps them believe you are listening and care.
Need Him Global is a ministry of cultural missionaries meeting people with a message of hope. The arc of every conversation is different and not always as we may desire. People may want to tell long and detailed accounts and share things they may have never shared before.
We know the Gospel is what they need but we must find a rhythm of conversation where guests feel heard in order for our words to be appreciated. This is when real connection and conversation happens and where the seeds of transformation are planted. In the end, we want to be seen as a connectivity ministry and not an interrupter with an agenda. How are you seen?
