Susanne Maynes

Honoring God's Image-Bearers

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One non-negotiable way for Christians to contrast the darkness of the world

March 2, 2021 by Susanne Maynes Leave a Comment

We had just moved from a small town in Montana, where folks waved and smiled at strangers, to the brutal, anonymous environment of Las Vegas.

Driving on a big boulevard, I changed traffic lanes without seeing the car in my blind spot. As the driver passed me, he yelled, his face a snarling mask of pure hatred.

Shaken, I got home, flipped my Bible open for the day’s reading, and ran across Isaiah 3:9:

“The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom;
 they do not hide it. Woe to them!”

These  days, we could read the verse as, “Their social media posts bear testimony against them.”

Remember when everyone talked about being tolerant and not judging others? I don’t even hear those claims anymore. Rudeness has become perfectly acceptable.

What led to this new social norm?

I suspect it started with the ubiquitous use of social media and the resulting ease of bullying others from behind a screen.

Then 2020 happened, with its COVID stress and racial upheaval and election strife. That perfect storm caused us to throw common courtesy out the window.

Typical behavior now includes so much self-righteousness vitriol that I wonder from day to day if I should even read my Twitter feed.

I’m not impressed by snark. It doesn’t take much effort or intelligence to be sarcastic.

I am impressed by those who agreeably disagree. I admire people who let others have the last word. I respect those who respond kindly—or not at all—to attacks.

However, much of the meanness I see in social media is posted by alleged followers of Jesus.

This grieves me.

The way some professing Christians treat other people online, you’d think they are dealing with yesterday’s trash instead of God’s precious image-bearers.

Some professing Christians treat others like yesterday’s trash instead of God’s precious image-bearers. #shinethelight #kindness

Click To Tweet

Of all people, followers of Christ should be the ones who demonstrate respect and graciousness. We should be the ones who listen more than we try to prove our point.

We should demonstrate this:

“… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” –Galatians 5:22-23b

Instead, we are often hateful, agitated, impatient, unkind, harsh, and utterly lacking self-control in our interactions with others.

Why would anyone want to receive our message while we treat others with calloused disregard?

We’re not exactly influencing culture. If anything, culture is influencing us.

As much as I’d like to see us all return to values like graciousness and common courtesy, though, I’m not suggesting Christians should try to transform society.

Check out these wise words recently tweeted by Jackie David Johns:

“One challenge before the church today is that we have assumed the role of being a counter culture, trying to conquer society & reverse social trends. We were created and commissioned to be a contrast society, the light of God’s presence shining into the darkness of the world.”

A contrast society. A light shining against a dark backdrop.

That’s who we’re called to be.

It’s not about fixing what is wrong with society; it’s about living out the love Jesus commanded us to have for one another.

It’s about demonstrating that we are ambassadors of another Kingdom, citizens of another realm.

As such, we are not free to behave in any way we wish. No matter how “normal” careless cruelty becomes in this world, it’s not okay for Christians.

So here’s the challenge: does our online behavior exhibit the fruit of the Spirit? Or does it bear testimony against us?

Are we shining a light in the darkness, or blending right in?

May our words, online and face to face, reflect the love of Christ to a world that desperately needs him.

 

 

 

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

 

 

 

 

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Why Christians don’t need to know the future

January 27, 2021 by Susanne Maynes 2 Comments

Why Christians don’t need to know the future

Back when I was in college, I used a color-coordinated calendar to schedule assignment deadlines and test days. These days, I approach my seminary studies in a similar way. I'm a planner, through and through. I like things mapped out in advance. I like the feeling of being ahead of the game. I hate bumping up against deadlines. That said, I have no interest in finding out my own future. I’ve walked with Jesus long enough to know it’s a bad idea to try to figure out what’s coming down the pike. Here’s why: If I were informed of the good things God has in store before they Continue Reading

This Advent season, what are you waiting for?

December 21, 2020 by Susanne Maynes Leave a Comment

This Advent season, what are you waiting for?

“I’m so done with 2020!” said a friend in a recent conversation. “I’m totally over it.” If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that sentiment since June or so, I’d be rich. (You, too?) The whole population is more than ready to put this past year to bed. It’s been a weird one. A tough one. In too many cases, a tragic one. So it’s understandable that we just want this year to go away. We want life to go back to “normal.”  We want to regain what was familiar. I can’t wait to get with my extended family again. I can’t wait to go out without a mask on. I can’t wait until Continue Reading

Did the early Church provide a model for church life today?

December 2, 2020 by Susanne Maynes 1 Comment

Did the early Church provide a model for church life today?

Imagine the earliest days of Christianity, as in, book of Acts Christianity. A most unlikely bunch of folks are meeting together, testifying to the power of their resurrected Lord (Acts 4:32-35). They  experience signs and wonders such as healings. They gather often, break bread together, listen to the apostles’ teachings, and meet one another’s practical needs. In fact, their love for one another is so radical that they sell their stuff to take care of each other. They are devoted. They are unified. It's amazing. Sounds fantastic, right? I’ve heard plenty of statements over Continue Reading

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