On pitching your tent in the right camp...

I’m on a teeter-totter. Not emotionally, necessarily (although Hubby may beg to differ—ha!) but I mean our life is currently in the balance. Our very near future is unknown to all but God Himself, and while I trust Him to lead us exactly where we’re meant to be, I also have to continually remind myself to lay my anxieties about the next few months down, and be faithful with what I do know: the laundry needs folding.

My unsettled feelings seem to quadruple these days when I allow myself to spend any amount of time on social media. Facebook is the worst. Bombarded by contradicting articles friends post about every hot topic debate under the moon, I find myself gradually beginning to hyperventilate. When I realize I’m about to pass out, I slam the laptop shut, breathe deep, and then vow to forsake Facebook for a month. I never do, because along with links that send my blood pressure skyrocketing I also find adorable updates about friends’ children and the funny things they say, life outside of my own home, and not to mention messages from family members who know I can never keep track of my phone and thus am easier to reach via the internet.

Ok, ok, so I'm on a teeter-totter emotionally, too. Fine! I'm workin' on it! ;)

I know I may seem like I’m rambling, but I actually do have a point. An exercise for all of us, in fact. A quick look at your Facebook/ Twitter/ Social-Network-of-Choice should do a decent job summarizing the way other people view you. And if it’s not obvious that your faith in Christ and your connection to His people are important in your life, it might be time to be more mindful about pitching your tent in the right camp. It’s perfectly fine to have opinions, and strong ones at that, about the huge variety of debates swirling the inter webs; I know I do. But we need to remember that we are Christians first. If you want to discuss vaccination, politics, or food choices, fine. But be mindful about how you go about those discussions. Be sure that instead of polarizing your brothers and sisters in Christ, you are covering it all in the love of Jesus, the unity of the Spirit, and the bond of peace. (Regardless of which side you are on!)

Behold, how good and pleasant it is for 

brethren to dwell together in unity!

Psalm 133:1

If you’re not sure whether you’re allowing your opinions on various matters to jeopardize the unity in Christ you share with other believers, I offer a helpful thought experiment. Ask yourself with whom would you feel more comfortable: An unbeliever who shares your position on said topic, or a believer who differs from you? Is your love of Christ so central to your thinking on this topic that it is able to cover the differences you have with your brother or sister? Or have you clung so tightly to your cause that anyone opposing it is immediately considered a threat, even if only in your subconscious? And a valuable second question for yourself, is this topic worth the division it may be creating?

The bottom line is this: We need to make sure that the only hills we are willing to die on are the ones the Scriptures declare worthy. All subjects ranging from yoga pants to abortion can and should be discussed, don’t get me wrong. I’m simply pleading with my fellow Christians to do so with an amount of zeal appropriate for the topic. How important is this to the gospel? And am I glorifying God in my discourse? Pray about it. Consider, and be wise. As we celebrate Valentine’s Day tomorrow, let us remember to show one another the perfect love demonstrated for us in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. Sometimes unity requires hard words of unbending truth to your Christian brethren, but most often it means grace upon grace upon grace. 

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, 

but that which is good to the use of edifying, 

that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

Ephesians 4:29

As for me, I am thankful for the steady rock to whom I am married. His love guides me through these anxious times, calms my spirit, and nourishes my soul. I'm happy to pitch my tent wherever he takes me, because I know he will lead me in the paths of righteousness, surrounded by the people of God, praising our Maker from the gates of His camp. What a blessed woman I am! :)

"Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, 

"Who is on the Lord's side? Let him come unto me."

Exodus 36:26a