February 23, 2022

Today is the last blog that I will write in February of this year.

I really enjoy the benefits of technology. Last night, my oldest grandson lost a tooth (he was head-butted by his brother) and we facetimed about 30 seconds after the traumatic event in time to see his sister still screaming about the blood that was clearly evident in the close-up view. Later, I bought a couple of tickets online for a Monster Jam event in KY as a birthday gift for another grandson and emailed them to his dad. This is all very normal for us. But there is a dark side to this.

Has someone ever texted you (or emailed, or Facebook messaged, etc.) in a way that seemed to be different than how they were in person? Instead of engaging in a conversation that was seeking understanding, they launched a missile that was intended to explode. The technology that enables us to get in touch, also seems to be a deterrent in our ability to touch each other at a deeper level. Social media gives us a platform to shout, but that does not mean that anyone is actually hearing. Just because we have an unlimited amount of information in our hands, does not mean that we possess the discernment to know what is true or false, or even the wisdom to know what to do with it all.

Some of you sleep with white noise. The constant static drowns out other sounds that might otherwise disturb you. You may sleep better but what if there are sounds that you need to hear, like a smoke detector, person crying, glass breaking, neighbor screaming, etc.? Has the white noise of constant and unlimited information reduced everything to a dull roar leaving you wondering what is or isn’t and, while connected with hundreds of people on social media, lonelier than ever?

We are all well aware of how many businesses are desperately looking for workers. This is also true for churches. Churches are finding it very difficult to find pastors. In many cases, it is their own fault. One study that I read said that 40% of ministers either resigned or gave serious consideration to resigning. Given the fact that many of them were able to find jobs rather easily outside of the ministry gave them little incentive to return. My colleagues attest that the past couple of years have been the most difficult they have ever faced. Was it Covid? Was it a contentious election? Something else?

We are warned in Romans 12 not to let the world squeeze us into its mold. I have seen too many examples of how fellow believers have looked just like the world in the way they state opinions without humility, charity, and sometimes truth. They demand that their world, including pastors, agree with them, and do exactly as they do (masks, vaccines, speak out about politics or world events.) If people don’t agree, then they do what social media has given the power to do. Cancel them. But, think about that. What happens then? Doesn’t that just contribute to living in a perpetual February where people are isolated and have more reasons to stay alone? Does the person who launches the social media missile realize that he/she is contributing to a dearth of ministers that may have a serious impact upon what is available for their children?

I am not writing this as a wounded soldier. While I have plenty of experience with receiving ill-intended messages, this is not my regular experience. The fact is, I am consistently encouraged by you and tell you that I love being your pastor because I love being your pastor. I want us to reinforce the sentries of our own hearts. Don’t let this world jade you. Don’t let this world tell you how to accuse people, feign offense, pile on insults and then cancel people. (Seriously, how am I helping people love Jesus by tweeting my opinion of Juwan Howard’s recent incident?) Instead, let Jesus tell you to love others. Model Jesus by asking questions, spending time with, encouraging, respecting, and caring deeply for the souls of others.

Beloved, Jesus knew what he was doing, when he designed the church as a body and a fellowship of believers. We need each other. We need to sing together and to one another. We need to teach and be taught. We need to speak and listen. We need to hear the Word together and then reverberate it in our conversations over lunch. We need to talk with each other. We need to see each other. We need to learn to listen to each other. We need to spend time with each other. We need to ask each other good questions. We need to encourage each other, honor each other, and seek to understand each other. In short, we need to actually love each other.

This is the last blog that I will write in February of this year and I am happy to see the coldness and isolation of the winter months go into the rear-view mirror. As the days get longer and the temperatures warm up, and you get out and moving around more, purpose to do more than just get out. Get with. Get with others. Get with others in order to help them look like Jesus. Many of you know how refreshing it is to spend time with a brother and sister because sanctification is congregational. You won’t grow without others and others won’t grow like they could without you.

Grace and peace,

Bob

Sunday’s Text: 1 Samuel 11:12-12:25