Stepping Into The Jordan

I’m in debate a with myself; social media doesn't satisfy my soul. For several years I have been stuck. I’m circling around the desert at breakneck speed and I seem to keep missing the off ramp. Though all Christians seem to have some sort of a desert experience, some don’t know if they want to escape. God is providing the food and making provisions miraculously last! The presence of the living God is all of the provision we need. (Sorry, if you don’t remember the stories Exodus and Joshua, none of this will make much sense). Because, sure there, in desert, we see a few thousand swallowed by the earth and few thousand destroyed by vipers. But overall it’s all the desert’s good right? Whether on this side or that side of the Jordan (RIVER) what does it matter? Some don’t think it matters, but it does.

If one side of the Jordan is obedience to Christ and the other is disobedience, where would you want to be? God cannot bless sin, but He can forgive it.

I guess stepping out into unfamiliar territory is scary! Think back to being a child; think of the boogie man, dark-man, and ghost’s. Think back to just being afraid of the dark. Some fears we have are rational, some are not. But, my daughter at 17 is still afraid to go outside in the dark alone. It doesn’t matter if the fear is rational or not, we just have them. Then imagine stepping into a flood-level Jordan River. Yet as we take that step, God parts the water and dries the ground! What is Jordan? I know mine, it is absolute trust. Absolute trust in a living God to do what is best for me. It’s trust, to know that He won’t give me more than I can handle.

The problem is, He knows what we can handle, but we don’t. I heard Dr James Dobson once say “if little boys don’t think they can win, they don’t want to play the game.” What if the game is life? What is winning? Is it having a million friends or a million dollars? Is it having all the cool toys or the latest electronic gadget? Or, is winning having the perfect relationship, wife, job, or career? What is winning? What is success in life? I know of course. Forgive me if you think I’m arrogant, ignorant, or unqualified to make such a statement. But, it’s not rocket science, computer programming, heart surgery, or anything so complicated. Winning is to knowing the God who made us. Winning is to know Jesus. Winning is stepping into the Jordan and trusting the One who stops the water. Winning is listening to the One who told you to step into the water. So win!

So back to my opening sentence, my opening debate is whether to withdraw from all social media. Google plus is great for good pictures of God’s Creation of places I’ll probably never get to see. It’s good for getting huge circles of people that only have Google plus in common. It’s good for giving you a few seconds of access into a stranger’s life as the newest post goes by. It’s good for being back in a high school “type” setting and finding out what or who’s is popular and what or who’s not; though it changes much faster. It’s good or bad for our ego, our pride; and, I never liked high school or similar setting’s that much anyway. After going to four of them in two different states by two different coasts, I didn't give it a chance. I was too shy, I didn't have a chance. Forgive me for ranting.

Then there is Facebook. Facebook is totally different, though similar at the same time. There one can have contact with friends and acquaintances they never see. I suppose this is perhaps better than my use of Google+. But, with Facebook it seems that we offer only the better side of ourselves; the side we want others to see. It’s picture perfect, not everyday life. It’s our edited “face,” with which we can be selective. We have to save face. REAL life is being hidden, or conveniently overlooked. Perhaps talking is too hard (even on the Internet), or we just want to avoid certain things; we don’t want people to know we are sinners too. We don’t want people to know that most of the body of Christ struggles and needs His hands and feet to help it.

Back to my dilemma, I’m undecided as to whether to simply quite all social media, including this blog. Because I’m uncertain as to whether or not it simply feeds “pride,” within me. I only signed up for Google plus and Facebook to “share” this blog, though I've used it for more and enjoyed it. I suppose if it is shared for another’s enjoyment or growth, it’s a positive thing. Promoting it, I have a difficulty with. If this is self-promotion it is self defeating, it’s simply selfishness. If we are to deny ourselves and pick up our cross and bear it, then makes sense to self-promote. I would rather walk with Jesus alone than with millions of friends or followers. He satisfies my soul. Yet, if this shares Jesus and gives glory to God, it is worthwhile.