I recently came across this thought in a book I'm reading: "despite a global trend toward loose talk, it is neither wise nor necessary to criticize others to make your messages more effective, more important, or more newsworthy. The degree to which you can be heard today is best thought of not as a burden or blessing but as a responsibility. Those who accept this responsibility with humility, compassion, and a turstworthy zeal are much quicker to rise because others remain willing to listen. The people most widely respected within industries, companies, families, and groups of friends are those who are clear in their own viewpoints while remaining comapssionate with those whose minds or behavior they would like to influence." There is truth in this quote. I often have to take a long break from Facebook and other social media because of the vitriol that is so prevalent. It is sad to see some of the vitriol from Christians, believers in the One who rose above all of the chaos, confusion, clamor and condemnation to show a different way.
One of my favorite places on the internet is a message board set aside to discuss Jayhawk sports. Every poster on the board posts anonymously, choosing a psuedonym thereby maintaining anonymity. I suppose there was a reason for this but I am often taken back by the anger, name calling and outright meanness that is expressed. And that's a place where everyone is supposed to share something in common: support for the Jayhawks!
This leads me to my reflection: how is it that we are to act, speak and interact with others whether or not they know who we are. As a believer in Jesus, I believe my conversion includes my character. Can I rise above all of the noise and the shouting down of others and show compassion and humility? Does it make a difference? The answer is yes and yes. It's not a call to do something you'd rather not do but an understanding that we are witnessing to the love of God everytime we interact with others. Even if they don't know who we are.
One of my favorite places on the internet is a message board set aside to discuss Jayhawk sports. Every poster on the board posts anonymously, choosing a psuedonym thereby maintaining anonymity. I suppose there was a reason for this but I am often taken back by the anger, name calling and outright meanness that is expressed. And that's a place where everyone is supposed to share something in common: support for the Jayhawks!
This leads me to my reflection: how is it that we are to act, speak and interact with others whether or not they know who we are. As a believer in Jesus, I believe my conversion includes my character. Can I rise above all of the noise and the shouting down of others and show compassion and humility? Does it make a difference? The answer is yes and yes. It's not a call to do something you'd rather not do but an understanding that we are witnessing to the love of God everytime we interact with others. Even if they don't know who we are.
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