Sometimes I wonder whether twitter’s becoming a bit of a toxic dumping ground. For every controversial news story that strikes there’s a twitter storm raging. Express a strong emotion and, whatever side you’re on, immediately there’s an explosion waiting to happen. I’m not sure how much good it does.
What would it be like if we tried to be listeners more than shouters? What if we tried to encourage people to pray, to listen to both sides and not react immediately to someone that we initially disagree with?
What if we chose to share a few verses, but not out of context and in a way that justified our own position? What if we went first to the Bible to see what else God has to say, and then respond?
Scripture allows room for human emotion, especially in the Psalms. There are those passages that say, ‘my heart is faint, lead me to the rock…’ (Psalm 61:2) and maybe that’s the quintessential balancing act; to be able to admit to God that we are overwhelmed and that we need Him desperately.
Let’s not project our bias onto our congregations. Let’s help them instead.