Face to Face
Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Exodus 33:11
My son, who lives in another city, recently had minor surgery on his knee. He is well beyond the years of needing his Mom when he is these situations. Moms, however, do not get beyond the years that they need to see how their kids are after such things as a surgery – no matter how minor!
There is just something about a face-to-face meeting that is absent from a strictly auditory encounter. He called after the surgery and his girlfriend has texted so we know that we don’t need to worry. I appreciate all of that. I still need to “see” that he is doing well.
When I came across Exodus 33:11 (at top of post) the other day I realized that my desire is for a form of communication in which God Himself was willing to participate. He also likes face-to-face contact – just as a man speaks to his friend.
In our age of social media and texting it seems I get fewer and fewer opportunities for face to face time with friends and family. As my son was in the recovery room after his surgery I awaited a phone call to hear his voice. As my sister goes through chemo I text her to let her know I am praying for her. I am thankful for the technology that keeps me in touch with old college friends who live hours away and Facebook posts that allow me to see new grandnieces and nephews within hours of their birth. There is great advantage in all the ways we have to communicate and stay “in touch” – they just do not include the “touch.”
In his letters to the Colossians (2:1) and the Thessalonians (2:17, 3:10) Paul said that he longed to see them face to face. There is so much more conveyed in a face to face contact than in one of only words. Sincerity, compassion, kindness, and love are communicated better when we see the eyes, the hands, and the body language of the one speaking.
In his letter to the Romans Paul said, “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you– that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”
I often get off the phone encouraged by another believer’s words of faith. I often even appreciate the time saved by not having to get into my car and travel to have a conversation. But, I can see that God intends for face to face contact to be good for us, to strengthen our faith and build us up as the body of Christ. Are our lives so busy we have lost sight of the blessing of face to face contact?
Hospitality is a command, “Show hospitality without grumbling.” (1 Peter 4:9, also Romans 12:13 and Hebrews 13:2). Today, we consider it easier not to bother. Even when we have visitors or we share a meal together, someone is constantly staring into his lap looking at the phone as he texts or watches “the game”. Has our ability to interact become so bad, have people become so unimportant, that we would rather interact via technological devices?
I have been doing some research about Biblical friendship. According to the scriptures, “A friend loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17), “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:6), and “the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” Friends should be trustworthy, willing to tell us the truth, and give counsel when we need it. In order to do that we need to be transparent with them, we need to be willing to tell them what is in our hearts. In a text? Publicly, on Facebook? I think not.
A phone call can do when we have no other choice but there is nothing like baring your heart to someone when they can convey as much in a touch or the look in their eyes as they can by their words. “Face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” It is not always possible, but it may be more beneficial.