Email. Fax. Internet. Text. Google the news and weather.
I promised not to do Facebook. Just not enough hours in the day for all technology. Besides, my private life is my private life. I do not wish to casually share things with loosely called friends who may in another day not choose me to be their friend.
Discretion is a good thing. Prudence has an Uncle: Wisdom. Caution can prevent Disaster wrecking the house.
A recent study indicates that therapists have developed a label for a new type of mental health challenge: “facebook depression.” This syndrome is a consequence of superficial relationships with superficial friends who live in a make-believe world. Well, at least someone in the pages of Facebook is having a glorious day. Those not having a glorious day can feel rejection, defeat, and suffer disconnection. How do you live in an imperfect world when those around you are perfect? You cannot. Therefore, depression follows.
My conclusion is that some folks have more hours in the day. Others of us feel the need to value time and restrict our activities to exercises that are meaningful and in context of time. I have a phone, but the phone does not own me. I believe in technology, but it is not a savior. I value technological helps, but the Holy Spirit has and will work through non-technological methods, as well as with technology.
Many of our marvelous technological tools did not exist when our parents were born. Who heard of Google in 1980? If someone had talked about having an iPod or iPad in 1980 who would have known what they were talking about.
All this said and done it is time for a confession. Not easy to confess. Not easy to admit that the Holy Spirit has been chastening me that I need to do more Facebook, not less. I need to engage. I need to be up front and personal. I need to share my soul, bare my innermost feelings and not cease to deal with the most intimate details of my life.
Time and again the Holy Spirit is calling me to FACE THE BOOK. Time and again the Holy Spirit has reminded me that if I do not FACE THE BOOK, open my heart to my best Friend, and daily post in with my personal and up-front feelings, wants, needs and dreams…I will fail.
The Holy Spirit reminds me that my might and power will not fulfill the mission. The will of God for my life can come to fruition only with retreat into the sanctuary of the Most Holy Place. An encounter face to face.
Leaders cannot be godly leaders if their personal lives are not FACING THE BOOK. Leaders must move past the superficial relationship of God being a rich uncle, a philanthropic benefactor, or a charitable sovereign who wishes to bless intent, though actions are contrary to truth. Purification of the soul is not a picnic with your favorite drink and grandma’s apple pie. When the Holy Spirit arrests, calls us to accountability, and proves us fit for service we FACE THE BOOK.
Please understand that this writing does not judge those who use Facebook wisely. The point of this writing is to challenge each reader to be sure that more time is spent in prayer and presence of God than in being network social. Rest assured that time FACE TO FACE with THE BOOK will not depress you, but edify and build up.
Face the Book. Consult your Friend. Enjoy!
Pastor Bare