Hello Everyone! Happy Wednesday!
Tonight I just had to sit back and laugh. I took a shower for the sole purpose to shave in preparation for wearing capri-length pants to a group exercise class, got myself mentally pumped and motivated, and then was told by a friend that Zumba class was cancelled tonight. All that prep for nothing!
This scenario reflects a lot of situations that arise in life, in which we have positive intentions only to find that those plans were not aligned with what was actually going to happen. Sometimes the switch is more disappointing or more exciting than my Zumba class falling through, but nevertheless, we have to deal with the situation and move forward with the change in schedule.
I realized just a day or so ago that I had felt it was a wonderful idea to make the "Spread Some Love" Facebook page and put words to action, but even I have fallen off track with following through on that plan! Good intentions, but was it realistic? Probably not! I learned a lesson about myself through that experience-- setting a daily plan for how I can bless people is neither my strength nor is it practical! I'm realizing more and more that God wants me to see ways to help show others His love on sporadic and spontaneous everyday occasions, not through a scheduled-out calendar of Facebook events.
So after going back and forth over what to do with this ineffective Facebook page, I did some talking to God and self-reflection and decided I would leave it in case someone else finds it to be useful. If it takes off and people want to connect via the page, great! If not, nothing lost and insight gained!
My initial thought was to end this post with the hope that your day is going more as planned than my own, but that might not actually be the best idea with which to leave this subject. Rather, I hope and pray that even if your day is not going as planned, you can trust God has something bigger and better to fill that time!
I went through a phase not too long ago where I got annoyed by people who seemed to constantly post something about Jesus on social media. I automatically would see it as being pushy and a turn-off, as a poor, inaccurate, and shallow representation of the religion I followed.
While I do think there has to be a balance when it comes to expressing faith, I now realize I was far too quick to judge and become annoyed by those posts. Christ doesn't call us to fit into the social norms and to nonchalantly express our love for Him. He asks for action that is much bolder and more direct.
In Acts 28:31, Paul "boldly and without hindrance preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ."
Although every word we speak and write may not always directly state Christ's name or include a Bible verse, those words should still be a reflection of His goodness, His grace, and His teachings. He asks us to follow His call and to forward the kingdom, so who am I to judge someone for posting spiritual/religious statements online?
What truly matters, after all, is the intent behind what we say and do. If those people are posting to share the gospel and to follow Christ's lead, good for them and glory be to God! Maybe it is more often than I would prefer, but for all I know those posts could be exactly what another Facebook friend or Twitter follower needed to read. God has a plan beyond my understanding, which sometimes means I need to take a step down from my own judgement platform and see the beauty in the efforts others are making.
So if I ever become that person annoying you for continuously speaking out online about Jesus, I get it. I completely understand your thought process and annoyance. But I will promise you, the intent behind these posts is completely to strengthen my relationship with God and to share stories of His grace in my life with others.
I hope and pray that I can offer some bold writing in the name of Christ. It's what He calls us to do, after all!
