I have tried an experiment of sorts on myself; since July 2nd I have deleted Facebook from my computer and phone in an attempt to avoid the vitriol that has filled what once was a friendly and often funny sharing of news and views. At times in the ensuing two weeks, I have posted some items to Facebook via other venues but have not followed what others have posted or said since then. Some of the feeds I get I have missed, but for the most part, have not had Facebook withdrawal symptoms other than, perhaps, being able to relax and enjoy today each day.
Recently, however, I have wondered at this withdrawal from the sometimes (often?) vilification of each other that does occur on Facebook. What started this questioning of my motives was an article I read on the Gospel Coalition’s website that had some rusty wheels turning. The writer spoke to many of the issues that seem impossible to share views rationally on, and he did it in a way that, while disagreeing with some of what he said, had me nodding my head more and more. A lesson I was taught in a particularly unforgiving place (prison) that we can disagree without being disagreeable had escaped me for a time.
Another thing at issue is what an old guy named Mordecai told a young Jewish maiden who had married a king, that she perhaps had been born for just such a time (Esther 4:14). Scripture tells us that God is Sovereign over all that he has created, including who is born when. As Mordecai asked Esther, so I began asking myself that perhaps there is a purpose in such media that can be used to pour oil on troubled waters. What change can one person bring, whether through such media as Facebook or in another setting? Frankly, I don’t know, and that is not the reason why I have decided to dive back into Facebook again. One voice speaking is often drowned out by the cacophony of noise that voice is speaking in the midst of, but it is speaking. By remaining silent, I was, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it, “Silence in the face of evil is evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
So, I am back (cue the band, please), but you will NOT see me re-posting vitriol (even if I find it to be accurate, which it usually is not). I also will not re-post some of the memes I’ve seen denigrating any candidate (they often do too good of a job themselves); what I hope you will see is a calm response to the screaming opinions that fill the internet and Facebook. Do I put myself forward as some wise person who has all the answers? No indeed; God has that job, and I am glad of it! One voice can make a difference to someone; will it be mine? Don’t know and that is not my concern. My duty to my King is to speak His Word to a world that is lost and dying and refuses to accept that.
Mankind seems bent on self-destruction; there is little, if anything, I can do to avert this as I am only one voice. But I am one voice, and I will speak and not remain silent. I consider myself an independent as neither party of the established political regime has fully satisfied my longings for myself or my nation. As the turmoil continues to increase and the violence occurs with increasing frequency (whether against each other as in Dallas or in external attacks such as that occurred in France), we need calm, rational discourse, not screaming epithets at each other. If you choose to keep following me (whether on Facebook or my blog at www.tonystake.net), my hope is that you will find someone who does reflect Messiah to a world that is in desperate need of Him. Whether you accept such or not, I will keep speaking, and my hope is that somewhere, some time a single person will hear and pause to reflect instead of hurling more offal.
We do live in interesting times, and it is a challenge to keep one’s head when all about you are losing theirs, but if we do there is hope. But even if all of us descend into chaos and anarchy, the King still reigns and will finish His will for this sad world.
Until then, the journey continues…
Recently, however, I have wondered at this withdrawal from the sometimes (often?) vilification of each other that does occur on Facebook. What started this questioning of my motives was an article I read on the Gospel Coalition’s website that had some rusty wheels turning. The writer spoke to many of the issues that seem impossible to share views rationally on, and he did it in a way that, while disagreeing with some of what he said, had me nodding my head more and more. A lesson I was taught in a particularly unforgiving place (prison) that we can disagree without being disagreeable had escaped me for a time.
Another thing at issue is what an old guy named Mordecai told a young Jewish maiden who had married a king, that she perhaps had been born for just such a time (Esther 4:14). Scripture tells us that God is Sovereign over all that he has created, including who is born when. As Mordecai asked Esther, so I began asking myself that perhaps there is a purpose in such media that can be used to pour oil on troubled waters. What change can one person bring, whether through such media as Facebook or in another setting? Frankly, I don’t know, and that is not the reason why I have decided to dive back into Facebook again. One voice speaking is often drowned out by the cacophony of noise that voice is speaking in the midst of, but it is speaking. By remaining silent, I was, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it, “Silence in the face of evil is evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
So, I am back (cue the band, please), but you will NOT see me re-posting vitriol (even if I find it to be accurate, which it usually is not). I also will not re-post some of the memes I’ve seen denigrating any candidate (they often do too good of a job themselves); what I hope you will see is a calm response to the screaming opinions that fill the internet and Facebook. Do I put myself forward as some wise person who has all the answers? No indeed; God has that job, and I am glad of it! One voice can make a difference to someone; will it be mine? Don’t know and that is not my concern. My duty to my King is to speak His Word to a world that is lost and dying and refuses to accept that.
Mankind seems bent on self-destruction; there is little, if anything, I can do to avert this as I am only one voice. But I am one voice, and I will speak and not remain silent. I consider myself an independent as neither party of the established political regime has fully satisfied my longings for myself or my nation. As the turmoil continues to increase and the violence occurs with increasing frequency (whether against each other as in Dallas or in external attacks such as that occurred in France), we need calm, rational discourse, not screaming epithets at each other. If you choose to keep following me (whether on Facebook or my blog at www.tonystake.net), my hope is that you will find someone who does reflect Messiah to a world that is in desperate need of Him. Whether you accept such or not, I will keep speaking, and my hope is that somewhere, some time a single person will hear and pause to reflect instead of hurling more offal.
We do live in interesting times, and it is a challenge to keep one’s head when all about you are losing theirs, but if we do there is hope. But even if all of us descend into chaos and anarchy, the King still reigns and will finish His will for this sad world.
Until then, the journey continues…
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