Facebook Fumble

Someone who doesn't have trouble touching hearts

                For the most part I tend to avoid social media, but being a part of the generation of technology I do not avoid it completely. A few months ago, I read a status on facebook that said, “I would love to challenge my Facebook friends & family!!! I woke up this morning with an idea I wanted to share :) Here goes......Instead of posting on our own Facebook, let's go down our friends list and post an encouraging word to them or about them. :) I'm going to do it if anyone wants to join me! Let's put a smile on someone's face!!!! Your words may be exactly what they needed to hear.” This status keeps coming back into my mind and I think it is because I took up this challenge. I realized that I never reach out to anyone anymore, by phone or by facebook. I decided to start with some friends of mine from college. Three posts later I was done. I never got a message or post from the friend whose status I read either. It is not easy to love others the way we want to be loved by others.

ust an idea

                Today this situation returned to me once more while reading Galatians 5. Paul just finished explaining the struggle we have between wanting to serve our own desires rather than live freely as an adopted child of God. Then he says, “For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.” Paul makes a clear and powerful statement that if we do not love one another, we will instead destroy one another.

                My husband and I often discuses the selfishness of the society we live in and the generation we were born into, but taking my friends facebook challenge made me realize the part I play in society’s selfishness. If I am not putting forth effort to love those around me (even through social media) then I am part of the society that is devouring itself. I am part of the church that is consuming itself. How would I like to be loved by other Christians? How would I like to experience their friendliness and kindness? Am I reaching out in those ways toward those around me?

                God, please forgive me for my own hypocrisy and help me to become the loving face that I want to see when I encounter Your church. Give me sincerity and boldness. Help me not to fear rejection but to put my security in Your faithfulness. Amen.