Over the past few months I have become a bit of a silent observer of the internet, and it has become a rather.... depressing exercise. There are so many opinions, and so few people willing to listen and contribute to a conversation.
What I mean to say is that there are plenty of people contributing, but none of them to further any point other than their own. Social media now looks like a bunch of words body slamming into each other, like two sumo wrestles from hell, competing to see which one of them gets to go on the the final round down on level nine with the big man himself.
And.... I have not been helping. I contribute bile and venom and opinions that are so badly worded, not even the most understanding parent really wants to continue reading. It's my own fault, and I need to be more careful.
I have a lot of friends all over the world with DRASTICALLY differing views on this, that, and the other thing. In an age where everyone can be heard, and when all of us are told we are important and special, everyone has an opinion... whether it be on death and taxes, or Kesha and Bieber. Even I have my opinions on pop culture and what have you.
The only thing is, those opinions are not always helpful, and I have found that they often do more harm than good. I may like certain movies and recommend them to my friends, but not all of my friends are equally ok with different forms of entertainment. And the Apostle Paul was pretty explicit about being careful around other brothers and sisters in Christ. We are to lift and build up, not tear down by exposing others to possible sin. And with the advent of the internet, we are now communing and fellowshipping with ALL THE brothers and sisters. The weaker and the stronger are all gathered together in this giant mass of people named the World Wide Web.
Example: A month or so ago, I promised to post a list of my top 10 movies from 2013. Not too long after I promised that, I realized that that might actually do more harm than good. In the past I have strongly endorsed movies that others found offensive, harmful, or just plain old icky. So, while there are some who might genuinely enjoy the movies I liked, others may not find them suitable or edifying. Better to have people ask me one on one, which movie from last year I think THEY may particularly enjoy. That I can totally do, all while edifying more people by being more personable, or through my public silence.
That said, I have been realizing that I have been remaining quiet (or at least more quiet) on issues that I should not be silent on. Of course, I need to moderate my views in a way that reaches my target audience (which as Dr. Steel once said is: "Humans"), but if I never even try to communicate my views on important matters of life and death, I really believe that I am being ineffectual at teaching. Something I have always felt called to do.
I want to teach. I want to help people understand things. But I am doing just as much learning as you guys. I need to learn how to communicate the main things.... because as a wise man once said:
"The main things are the plain things, and the plain things are the main things." And of course, all things with grace.
Love you guys... and if you are still reading things I write after all these years, you are obviously a very patient person.
JSTT
