Rantings and Ravings

​1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
 
Every four weeks, I stare at a blank screen, trying to decide what to write. Events of the last month flood my mind, each vying for my attention. Invariably, some event rises to the surface, exciting some emotional response. And I want to air my feelings and frustrations, but I cannot.
 
Anyone who writes an editorial column, such as this one, fights the urge to misuse their space by ranting or by “letting out emotion.” A column is a safe space to express any thought because the words on the page hide the intended audience. You are not in front of the author to give an immediate reaction. So, instead of being constructive, the author could slip into pet topics and biased soapboxes. 
 
These columns are not meant for those moments.
 
You probably do not write an editorial column. However, you will face this temptation on social media. Social media allows anyone to say anything with very minimal consequences because one’s “opponent” is not physically in the room.
 
You will face this temptation in social gatherings. Being surrounded by sympathetic friends, one quickly speaks what he would never say if others were around.  Courage rooted in absence.
 
Yes, these temptations are real, and we often succumb to them, to our shame. In these situations, we have an easy rule by which to live: Does this glorify God?
 
Too often, our conversations and our posts center around our glory, exalting our ideals and ideas. We write based upon our pleasure. We demean those who disagree with us because we want others to elevate us. At the moment, we get enjoyment from this. But, this enjoyment quickly passes.
 
God designed us to glorify Him. When we use our conversations and posts to point people to Him and His ideals, we begin to experience real joy. Instead of battling about our opinions, trying to exalt our thoughts, we share the truths of Scripture, exalting the Creator of the universe, which gives us purpose outside of ourselves. Incidentally, much fewer fights break out in comment threads, as well.
 
Next time you wonder what to say or write, think: Does this glorify God?