social media – With Eyes on the Cross

Over the weekend, I had a great opportunity to join some sweet young ladies for coffee and talk about a common struggle – finding contentment. We don’t live in a society filled with contentment. Every commercial, billboard and Facebook ad is designed to make us feel discontented so that we will buy whatever product is being sold. Even technology leaves us feeling discontented. Although we feel like social media keeps us connected, it doesn’t. It only allows others to see what we want them to see – the good parts, the exciting parts of life. So, as we scroll, we wonder why our lives aren’t as good as this person’s or as exciting as someone else’s.

During our time together, we read Paul’s statement in Philipians 4:11-13.

“Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. ” (NASB)

Contentment isn’t a byproduct of something we do, it is an intentional choice. I make the choice to be content. It takes practice. In fact, one of those sweet young ladies pointed out that Paul uses the word “learned” several times. It isn’t something that comes naturally. It is something we have to learn. How do we go about learning to be content?

One step we can take is to practice gratitude. When we are discontented, we are focusing on all of the things that we believe are lacking instead of all the blessings that we have. When we are focusing on all of the blessings we have and thanking God for those, it is hard to be discontented.

Another step is to make sure that we aren’t comparing ourselves to others. All of those social media posts can make us think that our lives are less than, that we are missing something. Comparing is what satan wants us to do. If he can keep us focused on the good that is going on in other’s lives, he can keep us from achieving that contentment that Paul talks about in Philippians. That gives him a foothold in our lives that we don’t want him to have.

Most importantly, we need to be focused on our Savior. At first, we joked around about verse 11, Paul says that he has learned the secret to being content, but he didn’t include the secret. Why didn’t he just give us the formula? But if we keep reading, he does. The last statement he makes sums it all up, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” I can be content in whatever circumstance because He will give me strength.

We each have a purpose on this Earth, and that is to live a life that glorifies God. While our purpose is the same, our paths won’t look the same. When we can set our eyes on the cross and our hearts to seek God’s will for our lives, we will find the contentment that Paul describes.

My heart is crushed. It’s broken. It’s overwhelmed by all of the hate and division on social media.

By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

Christians, we are doing a lousy job of showing Christ’s love to the world right now. Christ didn’t preach hatred or contempt. He preached love. He even went so far as to love those who didn’t love Him. Love is a verb. It is an action. It is seen in how we treat others, both face-to-face and online.

I do enjoy Facebook; sadly, I have found that during this quarantine I have had to be very careful about how much time I spend scrolling. I love a good debate. My favorite days in class are those days when my students debate issues. And they loved to debate the controversial ones. However, there are rules in my classroom about debating. First, you support your side with your personal experiences, your knowledge, your data. Second, you NEVER belittle, criticize, demean or judge what the other side believes. NEVER!

I have been so disheartened to read the judgments and criticisms that are prevalent right now. If I agree with one side, I have to hate the other. If I say something it causes division. If I don’t say anything my silence is criticized.

I expect that type of behavior from the world, but the one that has hurt the most is, “How can you call yourself a Christian if you….” I have Christian friends on both sides of every issue currently facing our country. They have very strong opinions. They have information, data and personal experiences to back up what they believe. I love all of my friends. The ones that I agree with and the ones that I don’t agree with. I also believe with all my heart that every single one of them is seeking to lead a life that honors and glorifies God.

I am a Christian. I pray that everything I do brings glory and honor to God. I work diligently to make decisions grounded in scripture. Yet, according to posts that I see on social media, I shouldn’t be calling myself a Christian because of things I have done or things that I haven’t done during the last four months. It rips my heart apart to be accused of not being the right kind of Christian from behind a keyboard. Like many in America, I am in a lose-lose situation.

Every article is swayed by the person who writes it. Every news report is skewed to support the beliefs of the station reporting it. Even the data is driven by those with motives.

Scripture talks about living in unity. I think we often think that means we have to agree on everything. We don’t. Unity means we aren’t divided. Right now, we are the most divided I have ever seen our nation. I don’t have to see eye-to-eye with other Christians to worship with them and respect them. I’m not offended by them. If I wanted to, I could choose to be offended multiple times a day by things I see on TV, on social media and at the grocery store. Or I can choose to change the channel, keep scrolling or just walk past those people I don’t even know.

Are we truly seeking to understand others or are we trying to justify what we believe. I read and listen to opinions and information from both sides of every issue. I believe somewhere in the middle is the truth. There are qualified doctors on both sides of the mask wearing issue. There are people of color on both sides of the protest movement. I have friends on both sides of the reopening of schools issue.

I can’t help but wonder what would happen if we could get people from both sides to sit down and truly listen to one another. The things that we would learn. I also believe that if we could get people from both sides to truly sit and listen, we would find the best solutions. We need the energy and vitality of the youth. We need the wisdom and experiences of our elders. We need to come together and tackle our problems instead of being like the Hatfields and McCoys who eventually argued for so long they forgot what had actually fueled their hate for each other in the first place.

This is what I ask, no, this is what I beg of everyone. Please carefully consider what you are posting and sharing. I don’t know of anyone who has been swayed on a social media platform. Please meet in person with those who don’t agree with you and listen openly to what they have to say without criticism and hurtful comments. Please don’t openly wage war on social media. Too many get involved, words can so easily be misread. We are setting the tone for the future. Please let’s set a tone of mutual love and respect regardless of whether we agree on the issues or not.

I beg of you, show love the way Christ showed love.