I
have been giving a significant amount of thought to the impact that social
media has on our society and the integral role it has played on the development
of subcultures. Just today I was motivated by the following tweet:
“If you have knowledge, let
others light their candles in it”
-Margaret Fuller
Inspiring,
isn’t it? Our specific life journey provides us with some level of expertise in
particular areas, and often we feel the obligation to share our insights with
the world. God moves us to share what he has put on our heart with conviction,
and I do not think we should hold back in this instance. However, sometimes it
would be in our best interest to check our motives for sharing and acting to
preserve authenticity in our social media consumed culture.
- Keep a
journal- I
should listen to my own advice here. Something I have always admired about
my Dad is his discipline to journaling. Yes he keeps a blog, but he spends
personal worship time with God every morning and devotes a portion of that
time to writing (with a pen…on paper….made from trees) about things that
God is teaching him. These thoughts are not blasted on social media or
beautifully constructed to impress a reader. We are putting our identity
at risk when we fail to process what is in the depths of our hearts.
- Be the
light when you write, don’t start a fight- What is it about the
attitude of cynicism that has become so sought after (especially within my
generation)? It always turns me off when someone devotes an entire article
to how an organization, church, leader is going about something ALL wrong.
FINE! Let them be wrong. Don’t spend your time being critical of their
ineffective methods; just show us how to do it right!
- Develop
relationships with mentors of all flavors- This is critical if you want
to impact your city, and the world. Recently I’ve become so grateful for
the variety of people that God has positioned around me to learn from,
ranging from all backgrounds, social classes, and ethnicities. From their
own unique point of view, they help me to perceive the world from a
different perspective. Be ready to LEARN from everyone you come in contact
with, you aren’t above them because your circumstances are different. This
is a preventative practice from becoming suffocated in a subculture and
losing sight of the rest of the world.
- Let God’s
word and the Holy Spirit inspire your spiritual thoughts- Sadly I have found myself
thinking in 140 characters or less while I am driving down the road. God
wants to impart such a greater depth of wisdom into us than we allow
ourselves to receive. It’s amazing what God will reveal to you when you
read the scriptures with an open heart. Don’t worry, it will be just as
profound and clever as the tweet you have been thinking about writing for
the last hour! What is the point of impressing others in our own religious
circles with these revelations that we think are so brilliant? As Bob
would say “people are goin’ to hell!”
- Accept
your unique circumstances-
At times when we battle feelings of inferiority, believing that we don’t
measure up, it’s because we are using a worldly measuring stick! God
created you in his image with specific gifts, talents, and abilities to
accomplish his will for your life. No one else can do what He has equipped
you to do in the way that he has created YOU to do it. When you understand
how specific his intentions were in creating you, it is easier to embrace
your circumstances, your identity, and the journey that you are walking.
It’s not always about climbing a latter, but taking the next step.
