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I very much enjoy being connected with people through social media.
I enjoy reading the latest activities of family and friends. I enjoy the pictures. I enjoy the cartoons, jokes and quotes that make me smile or think, “Well said.”
I even enjoy hearing the opinions of others. Sometimes I agree and it is comforting to think my tribe is out there.
Sometimes I disagree, but hearing another opinion solidifies what I do believe.
Sometimes hearing another opinion leads me to partially agree and partially disagree and leads me to a whole new way of looking at things.
I enjoy getting to offer my views on life, which I share regularly through social media.
I believe discourse is a good thing. However, constant negativity is not a good thing.
Rejoicing in the pain of other people is not good.
And encouraging violence is never acceptable.
In my whole history of social media, I have only unfriended two people. Both were making such inflammatory statements, they were on the verge of active calls for violence.
I quietly turned them off and prayed they would be led into a more peaceful life.
Recent events have prompted many negative comments and reposts of negative comments.
Some people have unfriended others who were their friends because they disagreed or were offended.
Some have taken a break from social media or left it all together. This has been sad because friendships have been broken. And when people leave social media all together, I miss them and the joy they brought me and others.
I had an interesting thought last night. Would Jesus unfriend anyone?
No. He never gave up on anyone. He cried over Jerusalem, thinking of how He came to bring Peace, Love and Joy to them and yet they would not receive it.
We know Jesus never had a sarcastic moment. He told The Truth. He was Truth itself.
So He was being genuine in His last conversation with Judas. He asked Judas if he was betraying Him with a kiss.
I think He was giving Judas one more chance to think about what he was doing. But even when Judas made a bad choice, Jesus did not take away Judas’ right to choose. Judas was created with free Will and Jesus did not take it back.
However, Jesus gave Judas a counter lesson in His last words to Him.
Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”
Matthew 26:50
Jesus effectively said, “What you are doing is not Love. What I have for you is Love. I will never betray you. I will never unfriend you. You are still my friend.”
So I choose to stay with those I count as friends, even when I disagree with them.
I choose to bring what Light I can to the world without sending out perpetual echos of its darkness.
I choose to keep my communications focused on God and the joys He brings into my life.
I want others to look forward to my posts as a refuge from the cares of the world. I want to deliver good news, even among the realities of a troubled world.
I want to bring Love, Joy, Peace and Hope.
One of the blessings of social media is being able to receive prayer requests and send prayer requests. When we pray for each other, we are united, not divided. Our focus is where it should be all the time — on God.
Your love, encouragement and prayers have carried me through many challenging moments. Please keep them up and let me know how I can pray for you.
We are friends.
A friend loves at all times.
Proverbs 17:17
