Leaving Facebook so I can write

     I recently read an article which argued that Christians don’t need to give an opinion on anything and everything via social media. It was thought-provoking because I knew I fell under the category of people who speak for the sake of being heard. Moreover, in a conversation with my pastor last Sunday, he candidly observed that ‘Facebook is only good for uploading pictures for friends and families to see.’ Hence, I’ve decided to stop sharing stuff on my Facebook profile (nobody reads them anyway) and dedicate more time to writing here. I’ve also started a Medium account but I’m still unsure about how to use that.

     But the thing is: why bother writing at all? Admittedly, few read this blog anyway. Also, isn’t this still a desire ‘to be heard?’ And aren’t there enough voices already? Yeah, I’ll concede the point, so I’ve told myself that I will not advertise my writing (too much). The question still remains though: why write? Initially, I wanted to use this to hone my thinking and writing skills; and it can be a platform for sharing certain ideas and life experiences. And this article has been a great encouragement to keep at it, even though there doesn’t seem to be any tangible results.

     My writing cannot be a search for significance, even though I’m tempted to use it so. It is, for me, a means of slowing down and thinking – because as I articulate, as I struggle to find the right expressions and not be long-winded, I have to pause and think. I believe this is immensely helpful in an age of information – which I think has made us less wise.

     As I write, the pace of life seems to slow down; it allows me to put into perspective my existence – with its raptures and despairs; it reorients my mind towards God’s work now on earth; it wipes the dust and dirt off my gospel lenses and refocuses my eyes on the glories of Calvary and the New Creation.

     This voice of mine is insignificant; it is likely to be overwhelmed by the din of human existence. But there is a God who listens. After all, Paul does say to the Corinthians ‘So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God’ (1 Corinthians 10:31).

     I also really like this final verse from William Cowper’s There is a Fountain Filled with Blood that offers a perspective on words:

         

          When this poor lisping, stammering tongue

          Lies silent in the grace

          Then in a nobler, sweeter song

          I’ll sing thy power to save.