Into the Fire

In our politically correct society I have found there are innumerable people looking for ways to be offended. And in the blogosphere—yes, sadly, even in the travels of visiting Christians who blog—people find ways to be offended.

Examples are as follows: I’ve written a handful of what I admit qualify as “bad” reviews. The particular novels in question did not appeal to me for the reasons given in those reviews. I didn’t tear down the authors, and I did point out there would no doubt be those who enjoyed the books. However, I certainly did not and I expressed exactly why I felt that way. A couple of people decided I had done the wrong thing by telling the truth about how the novels rated in my world. They were offended by my feelings, my review, and apparently they were offended for the author.

The second example is a commenter on various political blog posts of mine who felt the need to write lonnnnggg comments about the other candidate back before election time. After several of them, I emailed the person that if the commenter continued to use my blog for propaganda for the candidate of his choice, I would delete those comments. I didn’t censor what had already been posted, but I made it clear this blog wasn’t going to be used as a campaign post for the candidate I detested. This person told me my blog was now off limits forever. Well . . . okay. I sent another email to inform the person I wasn’t banishing or censoring his posts—just that it was my blog and I couldn’t give space to those particular political opinions.

That choice resulted in this person posting on two different blogs that I was “stiff-necked”, questioned my Christianity, and stated he’d been “banished” from this blog. Amazing reactions.

Sometimes the raw truth of Christianity can’t be displayed in purple-y velvet. The truth can sting when applied to the wound of conviction of sin. Ouch! We’ve all felt it. Sometimes a not so happy reaction accompanies that sting, and people get offended. They rant, accuse, justify, and rationalize. Sometimes they yell without a sound. Their fingers do the talking. I’ve been yelled at on the internet.

My objective is never to offend, but doesn’t it just happen sometimes? I’m a faceless voice trying to state my views, opinions, struggles, or joys. Am I harsh? Not usually. At least I try not to be. I’ve been known to utter sarcasm once in awhile. Tease. Rant a bit. But, geez, purposely create conflict? Not me.

Speak up? Speak out? Yes. But intend to offend? No. Yet it happens. People not taking the time to get the big picture of who a person is and making a judgment based on one post or one opinion . . . I know most of us who’ve been at this blogging gig for awhile have opened our hearts to those who read here. It’s fairly easy to get a general feel for us, whoever we are. That is if people want to know. It might be worthwhile to do that before deciding to be offended . . .

Father, help me to communicate your love, your truth, your ways, even in my struggles. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.