Challenge for February

January 27, 2021

I'm proposing a Social Media Challenge for February. It's something I've been doing since before Christmas. I'm not suggesting completely staying off social media. Even I need my regular fix from "The Daily Spurgeon." But I have severely curtailed my time on social media.

Some people allow themselves to be offended/upset/disturbed by what others post online. It doesn't seem to me like that's a healthy thing. From all sides of an issue or topic, it's not really a conversation. I doubt it's what God's Word means when we are told to speak the truth in love.

Further, there are times when social media posts devolve into something that is definitely not reflective of Galatians 5:22-23. I've always believed that our best use of social media is to encourage, exhort, uplift, amuse, strengthen kinship ties…you get the picture. It's always a good thing when we use social media to build each other up. Our world needs less bloviating and more encouragement…less passive-aggressiveness and more kindness…less piling on and more calming presence. How will Jesus judge our use of social media?

Here's where I'm at, vis-à-vis our national transition. According to The Babylon Bee:

"Nation Relieved As Brash, Loudmouthed Tyrant Replaced With More

Polite, Civil Tyrant."

Finally {before a closing Spurgeon Gem}, and this really does capture where my heart is right now, Christian humorist/writer Joel Berry observes:

Well, here we are…Trump's been out of office for one full day and I'm

already bored! We may have lost the funniest president in history, but I

have a feeling there will be no shortage of comedy for us to enjoy over the

next four years. It's good to laugh, good to live in God's world, and good to

have a true, everlasting hope! - As Jesus said in Matthew 11, "Come to me,

all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up

my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and

you will find rest for your souls."

I never forget that I am in this world but not of this world. I put my hope in no earthly power. My hope rests fully and completely in King Jesus, who sits on his throne in glory. We are called to love each other, love our community, and treasure Jesus Christ above all others. My prayer is that we never get so caught up in temporal things that we lose sight of the

eternal.

Finally, as I was working on my February 14 sermon about who goes to hell and why…I know, as my lovely wife has reminded me, not really a Hallmark sentiment for Valentine's Day…I found the best quote from Charles Spurgeon. He said, "Be not like those who dream of a God who is all love, and nothing else. These persons talk in maudlin sentences, as if they believed in an effeminate God, who winks at sin, and is utterly destitute of one single atom of integrity or holiness."

Remember, Spurgeon died in 1892. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Richard