I
have to admit, sometimes the second grader comes out in me. It’s not that I’m
trying to interrupt or disrespect someone. I certainly want to hear from
others. I’m super eager to share! This, I acknowledge, is quite evident on my
Facebook.
Two and a half weeks into my Facebook
fast, I’m experiencing many blessings. While I, like much of my generation,
spend excessive time scrolling the Newsfeed, my bigger vice with Facebook deals
with comments…who is or isn’t commenting on my posts and the time and energy I
spend commenting on others, almost immediately upon their posting.
God first convicted me that Facebook
would be the ideal Lenten sacrifice. Then, He very clearly put on my heart,
“Why wait?” Meanwhile, after my decision was made, God was confirming a lot through
my mentor, Danny Cahill, about my Facebook behavior. Danny’s challenge to me
was to deliberately NOT be the first to “Like” or “Comment” on a Facebook post.
I knew this would be a needed and yet necessary exercise for when I’m on
Facebook on Sundays and when I return at Easter.
I’ve had to catch myself so many times
on Sundays! Facebook even literally invites me to “Be the first person to like this.”
Patience is a virtue…
…Not one that I bear naturally…but with God, all
things are possible! With this exercise, I press the PAUSE button (not to be
confused with MUTE or VOLUME). I have the discipline to wait and not Like or
Comment right away.
Like my second graders, I get xcited
and sometimes wave my hands in the air when I speak…sometimes. I may even
bounce a little bitJ. And like my second graders, I need to
give others a chance to be the first to comment. It is beautiful to see what
can happen through that. There have been times when I see a comment and think,
“That’s better than what I would have said.” Another benefit of waiting is that
it gives me the time to marinate on what I’m commenting.
Creating opportunity
I’m a natural initiator. I am the
social planner. I am often affirmed for the gift to stay connected to people by
being the one to keep reaching out to others. The ramification of that though
is feeling rejected when it is not reciprocated, or taking the opportunity from
someone by doing it first.
I
was recently tagged on Facebook in a post that required a time-sensitive
response. My email notification alerted me to this fact. My first thought was,
“You know I’m not on Facebook. Was that just a blanket tag?” Well, lo and
behold, a little patience would show
that yes, I was considered, as I received a text a few minutes later! Had I
jumped when I saw the notification, I would not have given another person the
opportunity to reach out to me!
God’s perfect timing…
How often do we pray for something and
when we don’t see it answered right away, we decide God’s not going to answer
it or isn’t listening? I experience this in relationships too – someone says
that we will have an experience or a specific conversation, and when I don’t
hear back about it a few days later, I decide they don’t really want to have
the conversation. I’ve been learning a lot in the last year about NOT JUMPING
TO CONCLUSIONS. The Facebook fast creates opportunity to pause and give
others a chance. I trust God and I trust those around me!
Finally, by pausing before I share, I’m
learning to wait for what I’m supposed
to share, rather than just my initial instinct.
Lent is a season of opportunity. We
have the opportunity to turn away from that which keeps us from walking in the
abundant life with Christ.
What is holding you back from your opportunity?
