I’ve decided to take a break from social media and the news for a while. There is simply not enough good news being spread around and I’m struggling to manage daily stress let alone stress caused by all the negative and heartbreaking things going on in the world today.
The Lord has been having me read through the Bible, beginning to end, to look for how He loved people through Biblical history. I plan on ramping this study up while I’m on my social media break.
Currently I’m in Exodus. This morning I read about the Israelites fleeing from Egypt, and ended where the Egyptians are pursuing them to the Red Sea. These verses popped out at me:
“But Moses told the people, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today, The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.’ “ ~ Exodus 14:13-14 NLT
I’ll say this upfront, I haven’t been afraid at what I’ve seen happening in the world, but I have been discouraged, overwhelmed, and brokenhearted. Especially when I see Christians partaking in the chaos or getting attacked for a simple comment.
It seems as though we’ve reached a point where everyone is spouting their opinions, and no one is willing to see any other side of an argument. So we argue and rip each other apart. And this includes Christians, those who are supposed to be a light in the world. We’re so easily being pulled into the “I’m right, you’re wrong” arguments, spouting Bible verses and God’s judgement instead of showing His love to a broken world.
I’m no exception. I’ve gotten involved in my fair share of Facebook arguments, a trend I’m hoping to break and be rid of as I take this break from social media and focus on my relationship with my heavenly Father.
The world is in chaos right now. America is in chaos right now. People are attempting to rewrite our history, people are protesting about anything and everything, hate and anger is running rampant though our news media and the internet. But the Lord tells us to “just stay calm”.
It’s easy to get riled up when it looks like our God and our beliefs are under attack. It’s easy to be annoyed and offended by people who blame many of the world’s problems on the shoulders of Christians. If you’re paying attention to social media, especially Twitter, you’ll soon realize Christians are at fault because we didn’t stand up for certain things, or we stood for the wrong things, or we’re only interested in shoving antiquated rules down people’s throats while not following them ourselves.
That is how the world sees us right now, and with good reason. The world hasn’t seen the love of God shining from us, they’ve seen religion. I don’t want to be that person. I don’t want to be someone the world looks at and sees only a person who follows rules and condemns everyone because they don’t follow those same rules.
I don’t exactly know how to not be that person, but I want to find out. I want to be better at loving people and letting people see God’s love though me. I want to learn how to “just stay calm” and let the Lord fight for me. He has a plan in all of this. I don’t know what it is, but I know He has asked me to read His word and search for ways He loves people so I can love people the way He does.
I can only control my own tongue and actions, but I pray other Christ followers desire to do this too. To take a step back from the arguing and negativity that changes nothing, and refocus on the Word, on being a light, on showing love, on hearing the voice of God and doing what He asks of us. And when I return to social media, I invite all of you to keep me accountable.