Communication vs. Communion

There is no substitute for face-to-face. Don’t get me wrong. I am grateful for Facebook, Skype, and other technology that allows me to remain in communication with friends and family around the world. However, nothing can take the place of being physically present with another person.

Matthew Anderson in his book Earthen Vessels describes it this way, “The advantages of the Internet, of course, are incalculable. But a world shaped by iPhones and Facebook is more oriented toward communication than presence. When I communicate something, I intentionally transmit information. The word or thought, in other words, passes through the tools we make to other people who receive the communication. But the body, on the other hand, does not only mediate information about me- it is my presence in the world. Physical presence makes possible a true communion of persons, a communion that requires the sharing of space and time” (p. 93).

This truth has come home to me over the past few weeks. Over and over as I have had opportunity to talk face-to-face with people about God’s call on me in Thailand, I have heard people say, “I read your emails and your newsletters, but I could not even fathom the scope of what you shared tonight.” My presence with the message changed everything about the message shared. It was not just about communication, it was about communion.

I just spent two glorious weeks in Germany with friends and students who I have tried to stay connected with via Facebook, Skype, and phone calls. Being there- in their homes, in their schools, in their space- was different. It was not about transmitting information. Instead there was communion because we shared space and time. The truth of my love for them and the truth of God’s love for them could be communicated differently because we were face-to-face.

The apostle Paul knew this difference between communication and communion as demonstrated in his letters.

•        “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you.” (Romans 1:11)
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•       “But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face.” (1 Thessalonians 2:17)
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•        “We pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith.” (1 Thessalonians 3:10)

There is no substitute for face-to-face. This is a heartbreaking reality as I prepare to leave my family and friends for Thailand. I do not just want to impart information to those I love. I want communion. I am thankful for the time I have had to hold my nieces and make them laugh. It is a joy to be able to sit across the table from my siblings and share life with them. I love that I can drop by to process life with my parents. I am grateful for those friends who have set aside time every week to connect face-to-face.

I am thankful I will continue to be able to communicate with those I love. I am also thankful for the opportunities God is going to give me to share space and time with a new community in Thailand. However, it is going to be hard to give time to communication when I long for communion with those I am leaving behind. Yet another reminder I was made for heaven, not for Facebook.