Multiple Worlds

I believe in the existence of multiple worlds. No, I am not talking about Alien worlds, with little green men. I am talking about a reality that we have created for ourselves. The work world. The home world. The church world. The kids world. The extended family world. The hobby world. Complexity has led to compartmentalization. Compartmentalization has led to isolation. Isolation has led to disconnection. Lives are busier than ever, yet they are utterly disconnected from any meaningful relationship.

I ran into a friend of my teenage son the other day. I told him it would be great to get the two boys together this summer. The friend said, "I would love to. I have three free days all summer..." With that he began to list the dates and times that he would be involved in camps, trips, events, etc., enumerating the dates and times of his three "free" days. This is a fine young man, from an outstanding Alpharetta family, but I wonder: Is complexity and compartmentalization at such a young age necessary or truly desirable? Is complexity and compartmentalization inhibiting meaningful relationships?

I read a quote this week, and wrote it down. I forgot to record the source, but "props" to whomever wrote it. "In order to extract a deeper sense of belonging, we must consolidate our worlds into one." That, my friend, is more than metaphysical mumbo-jumbo. That is true! There is stress when we manage so many worlds. While we live in multiple worlds, there is always something that suffers, but perhaps nothing suffers more than what I will term "meaningful relationships."

The development of meaningful relationships requires a simplification of our lives in a world that is constantly demanding diversification. Significant relationships are essential to being a healthy individual. What if we consolidated our lives and made healthy relationships the axis upon which the rest of our lives rotate? How would your life be different? Is it even possible? What do you think?

As a pastor, I have had the chance to hold the hand of several people as death was approaching. I have never had an individual express regrets about working more, spending more, saving more, or accomplishing more. But on numerous occasions, I have seen tears stream down the cheeks of the dieing as they considered relationships broken, relationships lost, or relationships never forged. What are you willing to lay aside, to simplify, so that you can invest in meaningful relationships?