If we are to be light to the world, instead of purveyors of darkness, something has to change in our way of living. We can't continue to live the same way. I've noticed a rather alarming trend recently that frankly has started bothering me. It seems like the language and attitudes and, um, gestures have gotten out of control and have been less than light-producing and glory-reflecting. I really began noticing it a couple weeks ago, but just shrugged it off. Then this past week things have just seemed to escalate to out-of-control proportions. Look, I'm not a prude. I understand that some joking and jesting and poking fun is part of any relationship. That's not what I'm talking about. But when our first response is to make fun of someone, something they've said or done, to exclaim, "Your mom" when someone says something to us, then we've got problems.
There seems to me to be an attitude abounding right now that runs counter to that of someone who is seeking the kingdom life, which is a life walked "in the light." Things have gone beyond joking at this point and entered into a very dangerous realm where new people to our community of faith won't see love and grace. They'll see and hear bitter, mean-spirited attitudes, talk and actions. This is not the way of the kingdom. Time and again the Bible warns to guard our tongues carefully, what we say and think. How we talk and act and treat one another is an indicator of what is in our hearts.
What's in your heart?
shalom, matt
And Furthermore...(Other Thoughts on Lesson 7)
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2 comments:
good call rabbi. i have been thinking about this a lot and i'm totally guilty. my apologies.
i am too. it's not one person or a couple people, it's a wide spread phenomenon. familiarity seems to breed mean-spirited contempt. it's as much my fault for not curbing it sooner and actually participating more than i should. it's a fine line between joking and being mean-spirited. whatever the adults in the group can do to curb it we should. if we don't then we aren't being faithful to our call to hold them accountable for their actions. some of the crap i've seen on myspace has bothered me too and i'm about to start calling kids on it. they'll hate me for it, but i'm not sure how much more of it i can take and just let it go.
later.
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