Social media has become the new norm in most of our lives
today. It is not uncommon for me to wake up, start the busyness of my day, only
to take a pause to see what’s going on in the Facebook or Twitter world. I
usually like to shoot a message out to my friends online that may inspire a
smile, muster a laugh or maybe even provoke a thought. Sometimes it’s nothing
quite as deep as that, just me being me and using an open forum to do so.
Recently, I’ve been plagued with the onslaught of intense
dialogue that occurs on my Facebook wall that sound a lot less like discussions
and more like irrational judgments about the people in this country who do not
represent “mainstream America” ,as well as religious demonstrations that are
going on right now across the country. What bothers me is not that these things
are happening. Anyone who has read their Bible clearly knows that things like
this occur as a sign of the times. What
bothers me are the overzealous reactions by those who claim to lead in the
local church and who say that they represent Christ. What bothers me is the
lack of understanding of how one word or phrase can incite hatred and division
further instead of bridging the gaps in society that so desperately need
bridging. If we are to be conduits of love, then what is so loving about
reading a news article about a certain group of people and then posting that
these are the very same people that are going to destroy America? My question
to you heralding prophets is: On who’s watch? If America is going to be brought
down by extremists, what are you doing to prevent it and does it include
posting END OF TIMES DOOM AND GLOOM MESSAGES ON FACEBOOK IN ALL CAPS?!
I try to live by two specific directives in my daily walk. The
first one is: 1 John 4:7&8 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another,
because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been fathered by God and
knows God. 4:8 The person who does not love does not know God, because God is
love.
The second involves intense
dedication. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Then if my
people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my
face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven forgive their
sins and heal their land.
I feel strongly that when we are
doing what we have been asked to do by God Himself, we don’t have time to yell
and point and shout at others. Living by these directives takes daily
self-evaluation that at the end of the day should leave us more humble than we
began.
If there is any sin in me, any
unjust thinking, any judgment in me…Lord please reveal it, so that I may lay
before you and be renewed. When I get up Lord, allow me to show the same mercy
to others that you have shown to me.
I honestly don’t care to live any
other way.
However, if you are one of those
people who are convinced that BOLD CAPS WORK BETTER to alert the masses of the
despair of our world let me just leave you with this:
CHICKEN LITTLE WAS NOT A PROPHET! She was a scared, confused, misinformed creature who led many
of her friends astray. Get the picture?
Haha. The ALL CAPS people of the world are probably the quietest in the coffeehouses, hiding behind their computer screens. Love your love message.
ReplyDeleteSo true Nick! If we take away their CAPS I wonder how they would communicate their frustration?
DeleteBonita, this behavior frustrates me, too. Some of the most interesting people I've ever met are people with whom I did not agree. I don't know how we ended up in this place where lines are drawn, and people are willing to torch relationships over those lines.
ReplyDeleteI don't know either Andra. I'm just trying desperately not to be so dogmatic about my beliefs that I can't hear others. One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible says "Come let us reason together..."
DeleteGood word Bonita. I've been thinking how easy it is to point a finger into the cyber world, it dehumanizes very personal issues. But I need to take responsibility to love my neighbor. There is a problem with the world, and it is me.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff Brooke. I believe that if your generation keeps looking at my generation...you will definitely know what not to do.
DeletePowerful post, and one that I can definitely identify and agree with. I think we talked a little bit about this at the retreat -- I don't mind reading/listening/discussing differences of opinion, but the hatred and gloom and doom speak bothers me as well. To love one another and to be humble and listen to God's plan creates hope in the world.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed our talk Tammy. I love it when people who have never met can sit and discuss life and bring light to one another. We'll have to consider it a movement in order for it to become popular.
DeletePowerful and well put. Christ did not call Christians to be crusaders for the cause of the church, but simply said, "Take up your cross and follow me," along with, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Can you imagine what Christianity would look like if we actually followed Christ's examples and instructions?
ReplyDeleteIt would look like you Chica! I'm so proud of the woman that you are becoming and I can't wait to witness your unveiling to this world. You my dear...are going to do GREAT THINGS...in the name of love. <3
DeleteBeautifully put, Bonita. I've known you for a long time and you have always been a wonderful spirit. Keep sending forth your message of love and your whisper will one day be a shout, or all caps but in a good way. :-)
ReplyDeleteBig Hugs Don!... It's a moving thing to hear your words Dear one. You have known me since I was a scrawny 8 year old girl and I'm so glad that you are on this journey with me now. With people like you in the world...love is worth striving for.
DeleteYou light up the West Coast and I'll light up the East Coast.
:)