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Heights and Depths
“You seek the heights of manhood when you seek the depths of God.”
Edwin Louis Cole [via DeliberateDads.com]
In this world of social media, multi media, and “real” and “fake” media, it’s easy to get disoriented, distracted, and disengaged. It’s also easy to become worried, weary, and a little wacky.
When I look at my Facebook feed, I have “friends” on both sides of the political spectrum who are using this platform to proclaim their stance, to bash those against their viewpoints, and to rip apart the Body. While I understand the desire to debate, to disagree, and to defend one’s point of view, I find it appalling the way people are treating each other verbally.
Facebook is no longer a place for friends to connect, to share life’s moments, and to encourage each other. I’ve often asked my wife why there can’t just be a different social media platform where people can air their politics.
Some might say I’m simply avoiding the issues that need to be discussed.
Some might say I’m failing to take a stand or to choose a side.
Some might even think I believe something that I really don’t believe.
There maybe some truth to these thoughts and accusations; after all, I hate conflict. But there is also a major part of my heart and mind that wants to be a voice and a model for positive, constructive behavior. I want my actions and my words to represent Christ well. I want people to see HOPE instead of despair because of how I choose to communicate.
With this in mind, I try to ask myself this question: “In what I am saying, doing, and even thinking, am I building others up and am I building up the Body?”
I started writing this post with a different intent, but I guess I had other things I needed to say.
I’m concerned with helping men reach the heights of their potential as husbands, fathers, and men, and I think it starts with learning more about the depths of God. (Visit Stretched Men Group to learn more.)
I think this applies to my thoughts above. If I want to represent Christ well in my actions, my words, and my thoughts, I need to know Him more – more today than yesterday and more tomorrow than today.
If you and I want to change the world for the good, I think I might know where to start.
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
In what you are saying, doing, and thinking, how are you building others up? Share your thoughts in comments.
[I’ve recently been more active in sending emails to readers on my list. If you want an opportunity to connect with me in a different way, sign up below. This is a great way to get a different perspective on some other things I am doing and to be STRETCHED with additional thoughts and perspectives from me.]I Needed That
This weekend I did something I needed to do.
I traveled to the Poconos for four days to go camping for the 24th year with my “camping buddies.” It was so great to spend time with good friends. We ate. We fished. We relaxed.
I did something this weekend that I needed to do.
I left my phone in the car. I didn’t check email. I didn’t check Facebook. I didn’t check Snapchat or any other social media platform. This is what I needed to do.
I needed to unplug. I needed to disconnect from the rest of the world. I needed to let go of the tendency to check my phone every time I had a quiet moment.
Instead, I used the time to read. I read most of Essentialism by Greg McKeown. I used the time to reflect. I used the time to pray. And I used the time to rest.
I survived. Four days away from my phone (except to call home once a day) didn’t kill me. In fact, I came home charged up. I came home refreshed. And I came home with a renewed resolve not to let the pressures of trying to keep up with everyone get to me.