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| Silence in not always golden The ice by-product can be extremely damaging Photo by Mary Vee |
As a Mom, I often found the tattler was the inciter. NOT ALWAYS. And it was for those very moments I was glad I took the time to listen to both sides of the story.
As a teacher of elementary school children, I learned quick what I saw was not always the truth. Holding a chat time with those involved brought out both sides of the story.
In social media, we get to make our statement. Present our cases. The beauty of the comment section is those reading have an opportunity to challenge our thinking...and either heighten the importance of the issue or diminish it. It also brings different sides to the story adding to clarity...or muddying the waters.
I recently saw a post of FB. It most likely was the inspiration for this post. The video presented issues happening in Venezuela. I had been watching the development there, but had to admit, discovered I was under informed. I ached for the innocent in Venezuela. Who, they are, I don't know for sure, but God does. My aches brought on a time of prayer asking God to help the innocent in Venezuela.
What I know--know--know is that I don't want to ever lose my right to hear both sides of the story. At this time, this is still my right as an American citizen.
About this time every four years, FB and Twitter, etc are inundated with individuals complaining about the excess political discussions, mud slinging, false proclamations, basically anything to do with the campaign. They plead with fellow social media friends and followers to back off...after all there are so many other things to talk about and do. And they are sick of hearing about it.
This breaks my heart.
*I can always scroll past a post I don't agree with. I can even edit a comment out my post if it is offensive.
*I can turn off a radio.
*I can walk away from a television set.
This is my right, at least at this moment, as an American citizen.
But I can't hear both sides if the individuals don't have the right to rant, broadcast, vent, proclaim, announce, declare, protest, defend, etc. And yes, in the mist of the two sides is a bunch of garbage. But how can I weed it out if I can't hear?
Do we really want to be an uninformed people?
Do we really want to be a silenced people?
Is our favorite program really more important than an educated vote for the person who will be running our country or any other office? Is our desire to see our friends happy pet or family pictures more important than hearing their thoughts about what is happening?
Really?
Okay....
There once was a man named John. He spoke out against the leadership, the murders, insurrection, deception. etc. Hundreds--maybe thousands gathered to hear him speak about the One who would bring a change. "He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Matthew 3:11-12
In the end, sad to say, John was executed. The One, Jesus Christ, wept at the news.
Let us not choose to silence those who speak. When we do, the result will be greater than we know--we will be silenced by those in power over us. Is that what we really want?
If you don't like a FB post, scroll past it.
If you don't like a TV add, walk away.
If you don't like a radio announcement, turn it off.
But don't cry out for silence.
This would truly be the worst.
This post has been brought to you by the one-word: FreedomToHear
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