Still Learning, Still Growing

Today is the day I celebrate the anniversary of my birth.

I thought it a perfect time to reflect upon that which I've learned, especially over the latest year of my life.  

Delete the drama

My fellow pastors at http://www.thejourneycommunity.com/ have taught me a lot.  One of the greatest lessons I have learned from them is to avoid the avoidable drama (of course they probably would have worded it a lot better than I.)  I have seen a lot of disagreements on social network sites such as Facebook.  And for a while I thought it was somehow my responsibility to set straight those that I was certain needed my words of wisdom.  But in watching these wise men and women with whom I have partnered, I have learned that some times the best thing I can say is nothing.  It's not that they don't have an opinion, but they know that it is extremely rare that an argument on someone's status on Facebook is going to end in a way other than with hurt feelings and those arguing portraying themselves in a negative manner.  

Recently, someone I'm friends with posted like a 5 word status update.  The comments immediately began coming in.  As I read some of them I started to type my thoughts.  But then I read what some people were saying.  Many used some pretty vulgar language to argue their points.  I decided it would not be the best idea to comment and canceled the post.  A couple of days later I checked back on the post.  There were over 80 comments.  As I read them my heart broke.  There were some really ugly things being said.  While I can (to some extent) understand the things said by those who don't know Jesus, it was comments by some of the Christians that upset me the most.  Some of the things were the most horrible, loveless things I've ever read.  They did not display an accurate image of the God that I serve.

It's not that I don't believe that there is right and wrong.  I take a stand for that which I believe every day.  But I have learned that social networking sites are not the proper forum for such discussions.  

I'm not very close to the person who made the original post nor do I even live in close proximity.  But if I was closer to them I would send a private message or text and tell them that I'd love to discuss the topic further.  Notice I didn't say that I would send the message and have all of the answers.  While I agree that there are times that we should take a stand, I believe that it's not always our job to offer unsolicited advice.  I have learned that often slams doors shut and causes breaks in relationships.  I've leaned to ask if someone was interested in my thoughts on the topic at hand.  

I didn't plan on having this much to say on one topic, so I guess maybe this will be a continuing series for a couple of weeks.  Tune in next time for more as I share what God has taught me in the past year.

 

I'll leave you with this for the week:

Proverbs 27:19- As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart.

God bless y'all!