Monday Reflections: Pushing Buttons
"Hope is not about proving anything. It's about choosing to believe this one thing, that love is bigger than any grim bleak [thing] anyone can throw at us."
Anne Lamott, Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith
It made me think, what if all the energy I put into being upset I would put instead toward love? We hope because we love. UMCom photo by Kay Panovec
Social media knows me better than I know myself. It only takes a few clicks under a specific theme, and all of a sudden the algorithm begins to feed me posts or news of the same nature. Some of that knowledge that social media has about me, I don't mind. If you go through my feed, you will see videos of cats doing cat things, real estate offerings in Puerto Rico, historical facts or places to visit in Puerto Rico, and mowing. Yes, some people make videos of themselves mowing lawns. I find them fascinating.
Then, there are the ones about Christianity and politics that I don't care about. Initially, I wanted to see what others were saying, but it has devolved into angry posts about what Jesus said or did not say or about how this party or that party is evil. I understand why we have created algorithms that cater toward our most basic instincts. If we get irrational enough, we may subscribe to a service or make a purchase otherwise we would not have made. (I've been there.)
This morning, I was reading Psalm 136. This is a song of praise recounting God's faithfulness from the first day of Creation until the author's present day. Verse 23 says,
"God remembered us… God's faithful love lasts forever!"
It made me think, what if all the energy I put into being upset I would put instead toward love? We hope because we love. We commit because we love. If all the anger the algorithm invites me to have, if all that energy I turn into love, there is no bleak [thing] that can tarnish my world. Love is truly the most powerful force we can encounter. If our communities put the energy it takes them to be angry into being loving, no challenge will stand against them. Love always wins.
Prayer
God of many names, you are always mindful of us. Our world rewards our anger. You who are always loving, remind us everyday to choose love over fear. Help us lead our communities in the same way. May we be known by our love. Amen.
Rev. Eduardo Bousson
Senior Manager, Collegiate Ministries
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
The United Methodist Church
Related Posts
Methodism has a long history with the concept of perfection. In 18th-century England, perfection or perfectionism was understood the same way it is today. Perfection meant something without error or blemish. John and Charles Wesley, and the early leaders of the Methodist movement, understood perfection differently. In their practice, perfection was related to the Greek term teleio, which conveys maturity, wholeness, and completion.
Sometimes, the road to Damascus passes through Breezewood, Pennsylvania. There at the intersection of Interstates 70 and 76, the Rev. Bruce Maxwell, a United Methodist deacon who serves as an endorsed chaplain at the travel plaza, cares for truckers, travelers, or anyone passing through.
The EXPLORATION discernment event is unlike any other event with its goal of helping people discern and not pushing them into ordained ministry or into a particular form of Christian service. EXPLORATION helps participants discern and be open to what God may be asking of them and how they are called to use their gifts and graces to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
