Some of you will get angry when you read this. Here’s the summary up front:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Therefore, We need to spend less time listening to the news and politicians and social media. We need to spend more time listening to Jesus.
Now for the part that might tick you off. I use social media. Twitter is just a news feed for me. Facebook and Instagram allow me to keep up with family and friends both near and far. I don’t use Facebook or Instagram for news. Not one bit. I’d rather hear about you: your joyful moments and your struggles for which I am privileged to offer prayer and personal comfort.
Here’s what I’m not interested in: the “copy and paste” and wholesale sharing of memes and videos that bark opinions and so-called “expertise” of every kind at me. There’s a lack of thinking and originality in this tsunami of sharing. Sorry, but sharing someone else’s thoughts or anger or supposed “expertise” does not make the sharer an “expert.” In these online forums, I’d rather stick to the personal and uplifting rather than the political (on every side) and cultural.
Here’s something/Someone that is always true and doesn’t change: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
If Jesus posted, shared memes, or tweeted, what would his timeline look like? I’ve got an idea of what it wouldn’t look like. Yelling in ALL CAPS doesn’t make you an expert. Sharing a dozen posts in an hour that echo your point of view doesn’t make you an expert. Sarcasm doesn’t make you an expert nor does it help to prove a point. Whether you lean right or left, red or blue, or seek to glide right down the political/cultural/social middle, please be involved in our world – politically, culturally, morally, especially spiritually – but don’t use the “spirit of the age.” Use the expertise and clarity and power of Jesus and his Word.
Here’s a list of code words and catch phrases that cause me to scroll right past people’s posts, maybe even some of yours:
I’m not telling you to use social media as I do – primarily as a way to keep in touch with family and friends. Use it as you wish, dear Christian, but remember whose name you bear and whose Gospel you are privileged to proclaim.
As we give our attention to Jesus and his Word, not only do we read inspiring and powerful truths, God’s Word also has the inherent ability to enable us to become more Christ-like. “Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy. It does not brag. It is not arrogant. It does not behave indecently. It is not selfish. It is not irritable. It does not keep a record of wrongs. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never comes to an end.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)
If it helps, ask yourself (as I force myself to): “Do you spend as much time listening to Jesus as you do “spritzing” (thanks, Charlie Berens!) your thoughts/comments/emotions concerning culture/politics/pandemics, etc.?”
Let that sink in. Just sayin’.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Therefore, We need to spend less time listening to the news and politicians and social media. We need to spend more time listening to Jesus.
Grateful for grace,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Therefore, We need to spend less time listening to the news and politicians and social media. We need to spend more time listening to Jesus.
Now for the part that might tick you off. I use social media. Twitter is just a news feed for me. Facebook and Instagram allow me to keep up with family and friends both near and far. I don’t use Facebook or Instagram for news. Not one bit. I’d rather hear about you: your joyful moments and your struggles for which I am privileged to offer prayer and personal comfort.
Here’s what I’m not interested in: the “copy and paste” and wholesale sharing of memes and videos that bark opinions and so-called “expertise” of every kind at me. There’s a lack of thinking and originality in this tsunami of sharing. Sorry, but sharing someone else’s thoughts or anger or supposed “expertise” does not make the sharer an “expert.” In these online forums, I’d rather stick to the personal and uplifting rather than the political (on every side) and cultural.
Here’s something/Someone that is always true and doesn’t change: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
If Jesus posted, shared memes, or tweeted, what would his timeline look like? I’ve got an idea of what it wouldn’t look like. Yelling in ALL CAPS doesn’t make you an expert. Sharing a dozen posts in an hour that echo your point of view doesn’t make you an expert. Sarcasm doesn’t make you an expert nor does it help to prove a point. Whether you lean right or left, red or blue, or seek to glide right down the political/cultural/social middle, please be involved in our world – politically, culturally, morally, especially spiritually – but don’t use the “spirit of the age.” Use the expertise and clarity and power of Jesus and his Word.
Here’s a list of code words and catch phrases that cause me to scroll right past people’s posts, maybe even some of yours:
- Let that sink in
- Facebook removed (keeps removing) this post. Share it
- Bet you won't share this
- Bet I won't get even one like
- Can I get an Amen
- Share if you agree
- Unfriend me if you don't like this
- Who's with me
- Just sayin’
- What about
- Prove me wrong
- Exactly
I’m not telling you to use social media as I do – primarily as a way to keep in touch with family and friends. Use it as you wish, dear Christian, but remember whose name you bear and whose Gospel you are privileged to proclaim.
As we give our attention to Jesus and his Word, not only do we read inspiring and powerful truths, God’s Word also has the inherent ability to enable us to become more Christ-like. “Love is patient. Love is kind. Love does not envy. It does not brag. It is not arrogant. It does not behave indecently. It is not selfish. It is not irritable. It does not keep a record of wrongs. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never comes to an end.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)
If it helps, ask yourself (as I force myself to): “Do you spend as much time listening to Jesus as you do “spritzing” (thanks, Charlie Berens!) your thoughts/comments/emotions concerning culture/politics/pandemics, etc.?”
Let that sink in. Just sayin’.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Therefore, We need to spend less time listening to the news and politicians and social media. We need to spend more time listening to Jesus.
Grateful for grace,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
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