I just heard about this thing called “text fighting”. You may have already heard about it. But I --for better or for worse--have managed to steer clear of the social media world. If I get a text that is more than a sentence in length: “I’ll pick you up at 4” or “what did you want from the store?” or “Can we set up a time to talk?” or “I’m running late, I’ll be there in 15 min.”… You get the idea. I may just glance over it with foggy brain or send it to my email to read later. I am not bragging; it is just that my brain cannot process small words on a small screen in a short time. I truly prefer to have a voice to voice conversation with you.
So, when I heard about this phenomena called “text fighting” my heart cringed and my brain shot off all kinds of fireworks…not the beautiful, awe inspiring type. This shouting at each other via words on a tiny screen reminds me of 2 talking (shouting) heads buried in fox holes across a short field from each other. One pops up shouting and spewing obscenities, accusations, and vile comments at the other then drops back into the mud. Then the other pops up attempting to out-shout and out-do the other with equally or exponentially more vile comments, phrases and capital letters. All the while, no one is listening and the fox holes get deeper and further apart, each person disappearing into their own mud hole; building defenses, gathering more ammunition, and feeling more justified in their own stance. No one feels any better…or closer. Each drift into more despair and loneliness while everyone wants anything but this. No one is enjoying more closeness or a deeper more satisfying relationship with God or each other.
It seems that most of our culture has degraded into this kind of “communication” (and I use this word lightly). We have “leaders” (and I also use this word lightly), shouting and not listening, spewing vile words and literal infectious viruses at one another. They are literally infecting one another emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Communities are torn apart. Families are at odds. There is unrest in our land. All of this is going on at a time when we desperately need to be solving problems together, drawing closer and building bridges of camaraderie and hope. We are desperate to have people who will share ideas to solve our issues instead of creating deeper division. What might it be like if we would set down our lit up devices, look into the eyes of the other to listen and draw on the love and care we have available from God to share with one another?
What if we would all just take a deep breath, listen deeply with an open heart to the other person’s story, their heart, their longings?
What if, before we pushed “send” or “Post” we thought more carefully about what kind of injury, harm or destruction these words might have toward the other?
Will you join me in making a space for more Peace and listening instead of shouting and spewing? Each of us are precious. We are each created in the image of God. Imago Dei. We are meant for love and connection. Please take a moment to consider these words: Let your Gentleness be evident to all… Encourage One Another in Love.
Let’s get out of our foxholes; climb out of our muddy pits of defensiveness and judgement and begin to approach each other in a new way. Jesus said that He came to set the captives free. If you are willing, He will wash the mud off and give you the heart you need to love others. Who do you need to consider and listen to today?
Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let you gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:4-5
May the Peace of Christ be with you.
With Kindness and Hope,
Rebecca Sassenrath, PCC