We live in a world with social media and it’s not going away. And for the most part it’s a fun distraction, it can put a smile on your face – but I don’t know if people always notice that when the Facebook field is blank there is a question there… and it says “what is on your mind.”
What’s on my mind? Wow….
What’s on my mind is Pringles cans should have a twist mechanism like stick deodorant.
What’s on my mind?
What happened to all the Sour Patch parents?
What’s on my mind?
Roasting marshmallows is great because it combines dessert and playing with fire.
That’s what is on my mind… aren’t you glad you asked?
And when Joanna and I moved to the new house – we both kind of agreed we were NOT going to post it to Facebook even though it was VERY much “on our minds.” Why not? Well, because to us it felt like bragging. New cars, new houses, new boats, it all feels like showing off.
It’s great to feel proud, but it turns a corner when you call attention to yourself I think; and Joanna and I didn’t want to do that – I say this because it happens in some churches as well. People serve or give and they get a sense of pride and they call attention to it to say
“Look at me – look at what I’ve done.”
And I don’t know if we’re showing off for other people – or God. Because if it’s God, then it’s almost like you’re paying God back. “Look, I am doing this and this… I’m volunteering in multiple areas – wearing multiple hats. “I’m doing it all for you God!”
But you can’t pay God back, right? There is nothing you can do, no team you can serve on or board you can volunteer for that can equate in value to God sending you His son.
Jesus died willingly and now you have the forgiveness of sins, now you have been shown grace – what do you think? Is there anything you can do? To say THANK YOU to God for what He’s done?
And I know why we act and think this way – it’s because we were raised with it. For many of us – work – or no work – determined our reward or punishment. If we do something good – we are rewarded. If we abstain from work – or work poorly – we are punished.
We earn Heaven…. but the default is hell.
Good – bad – its all a scale and life is keeping the tip and balance in your favor.
Did we get that from our parents? Did we get that from Mom & Dad? The thought was, I have to do enough to be accepted in this family. I have to behave well enough, otherwise I won’t be loved. I want to be a family member, I want my parents to be proud of me, so I work for their approval and their love.
It’s a constant battle – we are either fighting against pride in our accomplishments, or we are fighting insecurity that we are not doing enough. As a pastor, I feel this way all of the time. I fight this struggle every day. On Sunday morning you always get accolades about how well you’re doing, and the rest of the week you fight the feelings that you never do enough. There is always more you can be doing.
We either earn love, or we feel we don’t deserve love.
Do you know what? Neither of those are found in the Bible.
That is not the definition of love found in the scriptures.
