So a while after moving to our neighborhood, I found out that there was a facebook page dedicated to this town and the surrounding area. I was pretty excited, as I figured it could give good info and be a neat way to connect with our community. I requested to join and it went a long time with no response. Then I realized that I had to say that I lived in WSP and so I changed my location on my profile and re-requested. Finally, I got the notification that said I had been added to the page.
With anticipation and delight I began scrolling through the page to see what I could see. I came across several posts regarding a mudslide that had closed a major road, and the clean-up progress. I saw some commentary on various activities and community events. A local pizza owner asking for advice on what he could do to be a bigger presence in the community. I was quite pleased with the page's content thus far.
And then I read a seemingly innocent post that read, "What is everyone's favorite spot on Robert Street?" There were close to a hundred comments below it, so I decided to peruse.
Big mistake.
Many of them were harmless, and even helpful! (I'm paraphrasing these since I can't find the original post right now...but you get the gist)
"Skip the fastfood, and grab a burger at 5-8 Club!"
"SO glad we got a chick-fil-a, finally! Free breakfast on Tuesday mornings!"
"The service at the new Denny's wasn't that great, but the food was good!"
"Check out Target's remodel...it's gonna look so great in there!"
And then it went downhill pretty fast.
"Ugh, Target is remodeling or something and everything is moved around and there's construction everywhere and its horrible. I can't find anything and after last night I'm never going back. Get it together, target!"
"The lights in there give me a headache, we don't need them that bright!"
"The owner of the donut shop is SO rude and pushy. Just avoid that place altogether, doesn't matter if their donuts are good. That place sucks"
And if those comments weren't depressing enough, everyone starts adding agreement and the name-calling and disparaging remarks got worse and worse.
This doesn't even account for the posts that say, "Trying to get kicked out of the Republican tent at the fair again this year, what should I yell at them?" (and the following suggestions of what to yell...)
or
"To the psychopath woman who ran over a turtle...you're a disgusting excuse for a human and I hope someone runs you over."
or
"Come over to the dark side and laugh at the Trumpers on this page...we have cookies." (Invite to WSP progressives page)
As I've read a myriad of responses that included name-calling, swearing, disgust, dissatisfaction etc... I started to feel quite discouraged myself. I mean, generally speaking, if I have a bad experience somewhere, I just simply choose not to give it my business anymore. If someone asks my opinion, I can share my experience, but no need to badmouth. The personal political opinions that get spewed are also unnecessary. It is one thing to share information about local politics, but I don't need to hear you tearing each other down over politics--local or national. I get done reading some comments and my mouth is literally hanging open over the way these adults are speaking/typing to each other. Needless to say, (though I shall say it anyway), I avoid spending too much time on that page, as it is a good way to put a damper on my day.
Anyway, this stands in stark contrast to another FB group I belong to which is for women and is a forum for encouragement, prayer requests and support. The respect in the comments, the genuine care for each other, the way we gather around each other in support when we may have never even met...it is quite beautiful. Vulnerability, respect, love and positive words make it a different world compared to my neighborhood page.
So what is the difference? Why is one so drastically different than the other? And I realized it the other day. Without Jesus, one's world is really only as big as their local neighborhood and their experience of it. Sure, they may venture out. They may pay attention to their national news. But at the end of the day, if your server at Denny's forgot your drinks and messed up an order, it throws your little world off kilter and you've just got to share it angrily with a whole group of strangers. Little experiences like this aren't just an inconvenience, they thwart the entire purpose you believe you're on this earth for...personal happiness and success.
With Jesus, however, our world expands so much bigger. Life isn't about our personal happiness and success. It isn't about going through life making sure I get owed the experience I want. No, it may not be a pleasant experience to be treated rudely by the donut shop owner...but it definitely doesn't stop me from eating yummy donuts and doesn't warrant trashing him on facebook. Creating a separate page to mock and laugh at a whole group of people just doesn't fit in a Jesus-based world view. My life isn't defined by a string of experiences that either madden or inconvenience me. My purpose in this neighborhood (and in the world at large) is to shine a light and to spread hope. Jesus defines me and keeps me anchored when those inconvenient life experiences threaten to throw me out of whack.
I'm not perfect, and I have had my fair share of complain-y posts or rants. But when I see this kind of behavior in others it is a fantastic reminder for me. It doesn't mean I can't ever vent, or be frustrated or inconvenienced, or even share an honest review of an establishment that reflects a negative experience. But those instances should be far outweighed by the moments that reflect the bigger picture in my life.
This is my commitment to think twice about what I post or say to others. To focus on whatever things are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable and share those things. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (or fingers type, a la 21st century...) And I want to keep my heart in a good place, so whatever comes out of my mouth is edifying, that it can spread grace to those listening.
So, I'll say a prayer for those in my neighborhood who have no hope. Those who don't know Jesus and the way he can take our small little lives and explode them into a meaning much greater and deeper than personal happiness.
And for those of you who do use social media as a forum for encouragement, support and solidarity, I'm thankful for you, and I only hope that I can help contribute to that atmosphere online!
