Why did pushing the delete button on my Instagram Profile feel like such a big deal? “All your photos, stories, and videos will be lost,” they strictly warned. I felt like I was erasing my identity. How did I end up in these “social” spaces in the first place? Are the pros of putting my face on a public stage outweighing the cons? Or am I merely “following” the crowd? I don’t remember how I got along in the world before Instagram.
When I hear concern about the negative effects of social mania on kids growing up, it strikes me how we’re always looking for someone else to take the heat for our own idolatries. When is it my turn to take the blame for my own misplaced heart and mind? If Facebook and TikTok weren’t a thing—wouldn’t I find some other golden calf to distract myself with? And we know how idols work, don’t we? They leave us wanting. Next it’s Twitch or Threads and the search never ends. Is it any wonder my kids ended up anxious and depressed? They’ve been watching me all along.
The media are competing for ratings over the next election. Where did we ever get the impression we’ve the mind to straighten our own crooked nation? We can’t even keep our personal lives out of trouble. It’ll never happen. We’ll all go out and vote, and find ourselves in the same leaking boat. Arguing, accusing, blaming one side or the other for all our problems. Guaranteed—we’ll be slinging mud in four years if Jesus hasn’t returned. I get it. There are countries in far worse shape than America. But we’ve been given resources other nations only dream of . . . and here we are, citizens and leaders alike, tearing each other apart.
When the grands were here, they plunked in the tub after a fun Summer day in the pool. Piling in rubber ducks and plastic cups, the stinginess started. “I want the purple cow!” “You get the yellow cup!” “Why can’t I have blue?” This went on from beginning to end. Missing the joys of toys, bubbles, and the blessings of being together—they couldn’t stop complaining for what they were not getting. Deliberating over how they had everything they needed to work things out was 2-1. Gramma was vetoed—unbelievable. There just aren’t enough blue cups to go around, and that‘s our problem. Only with a vengeful grimace will the other settle for yellow. Sometimes we have so much we forget what makes anything worth having. Namely, each other.
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people.” (Ps 118:8) Here’s the problem from my Western perspective: we’re listening to men and women—people with hearts like ours. “They are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement.” (2 Corinthians 10:12) We keep trusting ourselves to fix ourselves, and we’re one disaster after another.
Throughout all history real reform has only risen from returning to the law of the Lord. Some leader opened the word of God in full view of the people, and the land had rest from war. Look it up. It’s right there in the enduring, unsilenceable words of Holy Scripture. Every time those blessed by God put His Book back on the shelf, and started thinking for themselves—it was only a matter of time till they destroyed each other.
We’re in a battle. But it’s not with each other. “We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of an unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Eph 6:12) The Psalmist cried, “I am very low. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me.” (Ps 142:6) Refuge and strength come from the Holy Ghost. I hav’ta abide in the Spirit of God all hours or I’ll start thinking blue cups hold more water than yellow. Cuz here’s the reality that’s like nails on a chalkboard to our carnal way of thinking: If we’re not listening to the goodness of God . . . we’re agreeing with demons.
Satan wants us to kill each other. Jesus makes us sisters and brothers.
This is so much bigger than us, you guys. Inflation, racism, immigration, unemployment, abortion, healthcare, violence, corruption is a drop in the bucket for the Alpha and the Omega.
Listen to prayers the Son of God spoke before going to the cross:
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! (John 17: 20-24)
If those words don’t change us . . . nothing can.
The Word is ever-lasting reform for the souls of this world.