Today in the U.S. is Inauguration Day, our new president and vice-president taking office. Powerful and beautiful words were spoken and sung today. I was particularly moved bythe reading from Amanda Gorman, America’s National Youth Poet Laureate. A portion of today’s words will be remembered for years to come, the rest melting quickly under the glaring heat lamp of politics.
However, a few words from today’s ceremony may yet enter the hallowed archives of great American speeches. Time, and history, will tell.
So fascinating then to read about words of the Lord this morning, and realize that of all the words spoken by all the leaders, in all the ceremonies in all of history, few prove flawless.
The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.
I expected a handful. My wife and I live in a suburb of Boulder, Colorado. Lots of kids around. During the afternoon a raucous group enjoyed a cookout with a piñata and games at our neighbor’s Halloween party. I figured I’d see them later, they come by every year.
The governor and county officials discouraged trick-or-treating, but I predicted a few kids, especially the middle-schoolers, would break out and storm around. I would have as a kid, whined until my mom relented.
By eight o’clock, I decided to give any kids who came by our entire bowl of candy. No takers.
Maybe someone will come to our house selling something? If so, they’ll get a treat.
Maybe I’ll go toss it over the fence to those kids with the piñata? Candy from heaven? Or, candy from their crazy old neighbor? They’re rowdy boys, they’ll eat it.
Actually, tomorrow the candy goes to my office, running at only 1/3 capacity, which means I’ll eat most of the candy at work instead of at home. Feels more productive.
(FYI, the 100 Grand bar in the red wrapper is no longer available. Neither are any of the Butterfingers).
I’m tempted to leave my comments at that. Seriously, watch the program.
Before viewing, I knew social media manipulates. I knew product placement and advertising run the business. I shrugged and accepted the trade-off.
But I’m now aware of how the algorithms work to place in front of my eyes news stories meant specifically for me. Only me. Different than the news feed of my wife, or my neighbor, or my kids. The fact that I’m being used, and controlled, angers me. And I’m frightened for my family and our democracy.
Where I’m from, ranchers deliver livestock to feedlots for fattening before slaughter. Enormous crowds of cattle stand filling their bellies, contented and unaware, clueless to the butcher sharpening his knives one building over.
I graze my social media like one of those cows.
The butcher waits.
How do we push back?
Take the apps off your phone. Limit your screen time and especially the screen time of your kids. Most telling of the comments at the end of the movie are the Silicon Valley execs sharing how they either don’t let their own kids on social media at all, or severely limit its use.
I took the apps off my phone a long time ago, limiting my usage to my laptop. I found this practice super helpful. The temptation to constantly check my phone faded. I find that using my computer feels more like work, which slows me down.
I rarely post pictures of myself. Who really needs to see me anyway?
I refuse to get my news from social media. I go to trusted news outlets instead.
I stopped engaging in discussions on social media threads.
I go places without my phone. I used to live this way – I spent a summers abroad phone-less – why not try it again?
I read physical books.
I now think of social media like I think of alcoholic beverages. I can have a little, I like the taste and in small amounts it might actually be good for me. However, overindulgence leads to problems, growing ever more drastic when rampant alcohol use remains unchecked over time.
Social media feels the same. A little bit is ok. Too much leads to drunkenness and cirrhosis of the liver.
Doesn’t that remind you of our society?
Finally, I turn off my social media, my email and my phone after dinner, as much as possible. It’s nice. Try it for a few evenings and see if you agree.
Last night my wife and I watched two episodes of Modern Love, a show about relationships drawn from letters to the New York Times. My wife liked the show (thus two episodes), but I slowly grew disenchanted. I couldn’t place my finger on why, until this morning.
In the first episode, a young woman living alone in New York City enjoys a friendship with her doorman, a former Albanian soldier. The doorman treats her like a daughter, watching her return home from dates, commenting on the men she spends time with, offering good advice.
The young woman accidentally gets pregnant, facing the daunting prospect of bringing up a child alone. The doorman is the one person who stands by her through her crisis and the raising of her young daughter.
It’s a wonderful story, one of devotion and friendship from an unlikely source. I should enjoy it. But I did not.
Why?
I watched the show as a father.
As a father, I’m annoyed that this young lady, with so much in her favor, finds it necessary to sleep with multiple men in order to pursue a lasting relationship. I know it’s hurting her.
As a father, I’m mad at the baby father. The dude needs to man up – do the right thing. He remains passive, in the background. He represents the overgrown adolescents that pass for many men in our society. I want to shake him.
As a father, I’m frustrated that this young lady’s real father doesn’t show up.
On the flip side, as a father I totally appreciate the doorman. Not enough men like him in our world.
This all makes me wonder how our Heavenly Father views our lives? Like the doorman, he’s watchful, patient as we chase what we think will make us happy, ready with an open door.
Join me in reading the Bible Cover to Cover in 2024. If you spend 30 minutes a day on social media, you can read through the Bible in a year. Download the 5 Day Bible Reading Plan, grab your Bible and join in. You’ll be glad you spent this year with the men and women of scripture.
Seers, Sayers, Schemers & Saints
Stories to encourage you with the leadership experiences of overlooked men and women of the Bible. Their lives will inform your story, and move you to step out and lead.
GO: Following Jesus to the Ends of the Earth
This book contains reflections on the Lordship of Christ, the Great Commission, and a life of adventure and eternal significance. Read this book and you won't be able to sit still!
