and you are helping it. We all are. We live a lot of our lives in online spaces and engaging in online worlds. The trouble is we are being shaped by it more than we are helping to shape it. I am just as guilty of buying into pessimism, negativity and anger. It is easier to do and it is easier to feed. But isn't that what we should be looking at? What are we feeding? Are we contributing to the problem or are we bringing something else to our online spaces? I know many people who have unplugged from social media. They are seeking to remove negativity, anger and ignorance from their lives, but I find I ask myself a question when I hear about this. Are we abandoning a space where God wants to move? Where God wants to use us? I am not saying that there is not a place or time where we might need to step back, but I wonder if when we give up these spaces are we also forfeiting opportunities that God has for us to reach people? Is the online world a place we can transform by being a different kind of presence on it? Where people usually find hatred, ignorance and distrust can we be a source of love, grace and community? As we ourselves grow and are transformed in our faith, how are our "online lives" also surrendered to will of Jesus? I would appreciate any thoughts or comments you might have on this as I know it is not a simple answer and I know we all need to be mindful of the ways in which we need to take care of ourselves. Let us discuss how we can create spaces of life together!
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Romans 12:1-2
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