I suddenly realized tonight that I have become extremely isolationist in my own little world. I venture out when it suits me, I attack only when attacked, I maintain a schedule that precludes me from very much human interaction. I am the epitome of personal isolationism.

I will help those around me—when it suits me. I will put my money towards things that work for the greater good—when it suits me. I will remove my earphones and recognize the world around me—when it suits me.

Unfortunately, I am not alone. Society as a whole has gotten increasingly me oriented, from the iPods we carry around to the Bluetooth headsets that are virtually surgically attached to our ears to the fast, convenient drive-thrus we all frequent. Even Starbucks—a coffeehouse, a place once equivalent with true community and interaction—has an unending line at the drive—thru window.

Richard Foster opens his book The Celebration of Discipline “Superficiality is the curse of our age…. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.” In order to be deep people, we need to begin to extend ourselves outward. Only by laying aside one’s own ambitions and desires can one begin to attain the depth to which God has called us.