In the age of social media, everyone can share their opinions with the world often while using 240 characters (or less) or by sharing quick 15-30 second videos. There is no shortage of opinions being shared.
These various social media organizations have given each individual in our society the ability to use their voices however, they want to without fear of being censored… well, for the most part. But I’ll get into that another time.
I can’t stop thinking about the opportunity we have at this very moment, as Christians, to share a message with the world.
Right now, the topics that are trending across social media are all about politics and elections and the Rona. You can’t spend more than 30 seconds on any social media channel without reading something about these topics.
And I get it. It’s an important time for our country. Many believe that our country is on the brink of complete disaster. Last week I saw a few people on Twitter say that this was the most important election in American history. This week we’re seeing record high cases as the virus continues to spread across the world.
Fear and anxiety are holding people hostage, isolated in their homes, with nothing but social media to keep us connected. And that brings me back to the idea that we have a message to share.
We have two choices. We can continue to fuel the fire and share a message of fear, or we can change the rhetoric and share a message of hope.
Christians, we have the opportunity to share the Gospel, God’s love, with everyone we know. We have a hope that is so desperately needed.
I was talking to a friend of mine this week about what type of message he would want to share if he could. This was his response:
“We know that God works ALL things together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28), and that He CANNOT lie (Hebrews 6:18). We also know that God establishes governments and gives authority to kings (John 19:11, Romans 13:1), that He uses even sinful governments to accomplish His purposes (Acts 4:27-28). And we know that the response God commands from us is to rejoice in the Lord, to set aside anxiousness, and to pray for the leaders He has established according to His will (Philippians 4:4-9, 1 Timothy 2:1-3). Lastly, we know that when God is for us, who can be against us?! (Romans 8:31). The victory IS the Lord’s, and we have the privilege and responsibility to proclaim the good news of the gospel – in both the brightest and the darkest places, knowing that His Word WILL NOT return void.
In the face of these wonderful promises, we CANNOT despair! Only those who have no hope succumb to despair. We have a living hope! What better time to demonstrate to a dying world – and to so many lost souls – that our hope is an EVERLASTING hope, not dependent on circumstances but resting in the mighty arms of a living Savior!”
Now that’s a message worth sharing. We have a living, everlasting hope that rests in the mighty arms of our Savior!
Our hope doesn’t rest on who the leader of the free world is or the political party we affiliate with. Our hope doesn’t rest on what a medical doctor tells us on t.v. or whether a drug company can possibly create a vaccine.
So, this is your opportunity. What message are you going to share?
I pray that you make it a message of hope and unity. A message that will uplift and encourage those who are hurting or scared today.
Put your political ideology aside. If your candidate didn’t win, it’s okay. Put your thoughts about how the pandemic is being handled. If you like masks or think they are pointless. Those messages are not as important right now as the message of hope that needs to be shared.
Use your voices. Use your platforms. Share the Gospel. Share God’s love.
Share a message hope.
Grace and peace.
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. | Romans 15:13 (NLT)
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. | Romans 12:12-13 (NLT)
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. | Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. | Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)
For surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. | Proverbs 23:18 (ESV)
O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood. | Psalm 71:5 (NLT)
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. | 1 Peter 1:3 (NLT)
Trent Fugitt 