Progress?

Why was it such a scandal that Jesus met with the woman at the well in the middle of the day? It was because the custom at that time was that the women would all meet together early in the morning to draw water and in that simple task found a place to share their lives, their stories, their worries and their dreams. It was not just a watering hole, but a meeting place where community was built and sustained. Today we buy our water in bottles, pre-packaged by the case so we don’t have to come back for a week or more, and in the self check-out express lane with the sweep of a credit card – never even having to say hello to a store employee or another water gatherer. What happened to the watering hole? Progress.

Jesus’ ministry was a sensual smorgasbord as he “touched” the lepers to make them clean, as he “looked at…and loved” the rich young ruler, as Jesus wept with the grieving mother, and as the room was drenched in the fragrance of the sinful woman’s perfume poured on Jesus’ feet. He didn’t just “touch” people’s lives metaphorically, but was intimately involved in people’s deepest fears, concerns and pain. Today we send people religious chain emails to encourage them and use “emoticons” in our text messages to express our feelings. What happened to the dangerously intimate interactions that Jesus had with people? Progress.

God said by the sweat of our brow we would produce food to eat from the ground that we were left to care for. And by this struggle we would be forever reminded of our weakness before God and our need for him to help us survive, as we enjoyed the natural, “God engineered” food. Today we buy our chemically-processed, genetically engineered, nutrient-free food from the air-conditioned, café equipped, surround sound wired, well-lit grocery store, as flat-screens, cut-outs and coupon dispensers tell us to “buy more and save”. What happened to the hard work, sweat, healthy food and connection to God? Progress.

What is progress? How do we measure it? Faster, bigger, cheaper, sleeker?

If bigger is better than why do those children growing up in larger, more affluent homes experience greater depression and drug use than their lower income counter parts? Luthar and Becker suggest that the increased pressure to achieve, coupled with a sense of isolation from parents are contributing factors. Progress as measured by high achievement comes at the expense of healthy family relationships.

Is “Bigger” really Better?

Is “Faster” really Freeing?

Is “More Connected” Really Connecting Us?

LESS IS MORE
Small banks know their customers and value every one. Not only that, they are safe from the ponzie schemes, derivatives, mortgage collapses, etc – and they’re in the neighborhood.

Small fitness centers know their clients and work with each individually helping them achieve their health goals – and they’re in the neighborhood

Small businesses stock quality goods, special order what you need, know you by name and stand behind their products – and they’re in the neighborhood

Small local farmers reduce transportation costs and dependence on environmentally unsound practices while providing fresh, healthy, real food - and they’re in the neighborhood.

Small family doctors offices offer sincere, unrushed health care and advice – and they’re in the neighborhood.

Small, simple church provides a safe and nurturing place to grow deep relationships as the group draws closer to God and manifests his love in the local community – and they’re in the neighborhood.

In an age of super stores, multi-national companies, huge banks, fitness “factories” and the like, why is there a resurgence of small, family-owned businesses, community banks, store front fitness centers and neighborhood farmers markets? Is it because these large and efficient, and often “cheaper” mega outlets miss the most essential element of any human transaction? Genuine relationships. Why do people pay $5 for a cup of coffee at Starbucks? Is it because the coffee is that much better or because with it they are welcomed by a local person who knows their name and their drink and because they get a chance to sit down and connect with another human being?

As the world continues to “shrink” due to ever evolving technology, we’ve gained far more neighbors around the world, but know our next door neighbors even less. While we count our social media “friends” by the 100s, the number of people we can engage with on a deeply personal level has diminished dramatically. New technologies developed at hyper-speed promise us more time, but we’re so addicted to our new tools (toys), we have less time to be with people.

So what is the cost of all this progress? Is it our relationships? If so, how much progress can we afford?