Near and Far Faith

I've been learning about Blog-frontation for the last few years - both circumstantially by watching and interacting with others AND by experiencing this phenomenon. It really goes back to root attitudes that in no way are new, but technology has allowed this snowball to grow exponentially and more rapidly. It's this idea of saying things on your blog that you won't say to people's faces.

I hate confrontation. I stutter. I stumble over my words. I nervously joke to get attention. And like most of us, I usually walk away from most of those conversations with a completely rethought version of it - thinking "I should've said it this way... that would've changed the outcome!" because I'm rarely satisfied with the result.

However, I believe that God has placed challenges in front of us to grow - move forward in spite of adversity. In other words, I believe that when we change course due to our comfort, God is disappointed in our choice. We are to offer ourselves as Romans 12 calls us too. Offering means selflessness. Turning away from confrontation is pridefully and selfishly going against the scripture and, among other things, it stunts our growth .

I want my blog to promote deepening relationships. That's my goal. I have seen both email and blogs used to simply avoid talking to people personally. It's contrary to Matthew 18 which says "go" to the other person and as The Message says "work it out between the two of you." Contextually I know that this is applicable to believers, but the principle arches over into all life.

Having to awkwardly work something out with someone says "No matter the comfort level, I'm willing to sit through that for the sake of our relationship".

It's like working out. My personality is that of the excited monkey - I bounce to the next tree when I see something slightly more shiny or tasty. So when I have worked out it has been inconsistent (which is one of my greatest faults). Because of that, I know this: I will be sore until I maintain consistency. And even when I adapt to that current routine, if I want to continue to grow I have to choose pain.

When people blog-front their thoughts on an issue that are resolvable through confrontation, it's choosing negative growth. Plain and simple. We can mask it well by calling on our necessity to "vent", which doesn't actually exist. It's a big temptation. It's easier for me to get all my thoughts down on paper and work things out there and just click send or post. Easier isn't better. Easier could be satanic. Don't over interpret that - but I believe that Satan's greatest temptation is the path that goes downhill.

I think I'll continue on this tomorrow. What about those that you don't really care if they like you or not? What about the people whose relationship you don't value?