I’m ruined. I’ve always believed that only 6 or 7 people read this blog, all of them members of the church. This bit of information was very comforting. After all, I know they are already Christians, that they already attend FV Presbyterian, and that any heresy I might actually say here can be quickly dealt with by Cindy. Blogging was fun, carefree, mindless drivel…..but then it happened. We had a couple visit the church, and they said the blog is the reason they came. (Insert blood curdling scream here). Ollie and Wanda (not their real names) said that they were trying to decide on where to go to church when he came upon my blog. Ollie (still not his real name) said after reading a few posts he decided to come visit our church. OK….this is very unsettling. I have come to the frightening realization that there may be strangers reading these demented ravings. This has placed an unbearable weight upon me. Does this mean I have to be pastoral, caring, relevant, and theologically orthodox? Should I be checking my spelling and punctuation? Ahhh, the pressure! The simple carefree decision by Ollie and Wanda to visit FV Presbyterian Church has placed an Atlas sized burden upon me. What I write here matters. Who knows….my words could affect the eternal destination of millions. World peace could hang in the balance as to whether the dictator of a certain Asian country likes my posting. My deeply insightful writings may be holding off an alien attack! Alas, with great power, comes great responsibility. It occurred to me that the economic crisis our world is facing could be my fault! But then I remembered I started this blog after the economy collapsed. Whew…dodged that bullet. I’d prefer not to talk about my writings affect on the recovery or a certain oil spill – thank you very much!
Over the past several months there have been a surprising number of “hits” to the blog. To me, they obviously were bots and spammers. Responses to the blog have overwhelmingly been spam. Thank you, I don’t need to buy any more whale blubber. While deleting most, I posted a couple in the comment section so I could pretend someone was reading and responding to my answer to the reader’s insomnia. But deep inside I knew that “buypocketprotectors.com” was not a real person. Well, folks, I can pretend no more. Real people read this blog….real people with real thoughts…and well, ummm, real people. I’ve got to take this blogging much more seriously. I can’t take for granted the impact I am making on the world. Ollie and Wanda, thank you for helping me see the light! I will take my efforts much more seriously. OK, I lied. I can’t take it more seriously. I have no deep thoughts to share. I have no great insights. We are in serious trouble if anyone is counting on me to help with world peace or alien attacks. No, I’m still struggling to figure out which sock goes on my right foot and which one goes on my left, how to play a kazoo, and how to “tie” my Velcro laced shoes. I am delighted that Ollie and Wanda came to church and I pray it was a blessing to them, but if it was the blog that motivated them, it could be argued they are in serious need of prayer.
The Apostle Paul was encouraging the Colossian Church to faithful living when he wrote, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (3:17) We are called to give our very best in everything we do. Whether it is at work, or home, or church, we should be doing it as if we were doing it for Jesus. When we blog, we should blog for Jesus. When we sing, we should sing for Jesus. When we mow our lawns, we should mow for Jesus. When we talk to our friends, we should talk with the heart of Jesus. I am thankful that in the midst of it all, God doesn’t ask about our ability, only our willingness to do it for Him. I’ve decided that whether it’s 6 or 7 who read this blog, or even 10 or 12….I’ll write my blog in the name of Jesus, giving thanks.
Chad