[Wednesday's Devotional] - What's your status?

In common with most social networking platforms, Facebook offers a means for you to share your "status" – how you are feeling, what you are doing, where you are…etc.

I have been dismayed at the way in which this has been used by so many people (even by close friends and family) to be negative or condemning of others or situations – sometimes forgetting, perhaps, the size of their audience. Comments can be encouraging, uplifting, comforting and loving – I have seen this, where people can be offered support from friends who are on-hand to say a kind word. Too often, however, I have seen comments which are damning, belittling, upsetting and spiteful. The fact is that even when we are on an emotional rollercoaster of ups and downs, the basic truths of who we are and where we stand in our important relationships are not so variable as they would appear.

As a Christian, I have two perspectives – how I feel in the eyes of the world (sometimes good, sometimes bad) and how I stand in the eyes of God (never changing in spite of how it might feel).

In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he encourages them to be joyful even when circumstances look terrible. If Paul had used Facebook, I am sure his status updates would always have been joyful and upbeat:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 4-7 [NIV]

Before you write anything on your personal profile, consider the following:

Is it precise or ambiguous? Is it positive or negative? Is it humble or boastful? Is it selfish or unselfish?

As an observer, I am encouraged by the use of humour and the way in which good causes can go "viral" and engage with people all over the world within 24 – 48 hours. I recently heard the story of 9 year old Martha Payne and her blog NeverSeconds, if you have time take a look here. Over 5 million people have visited her blog and she has raised over £81,000 for the charity mary's meals.

I recently discovered this quote attributed to John Wesley, which I think is a good message for today:

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can to all the people you can, as long as ever you can"

Lord, help me not to be conformed to the value system of the world, but rather to do all that I can to share your love with all those I come into contact with. Amen.

Dave MacLellan