Scrolling on Facebook, something I’ve done here and there since 2008.

So much has changed since then.

What used to be a fun way to find old friends, share in creative expression, and drive my husband slightly nutty with the need to “check my crops”, has slowly morphed into something else.

Something that still looks and feels like it should bring some sort of happiness or pleasure. Yet I find the exact opposite to be true. The more I scroll, the more I keep scrolling in hopes the next post or the next news article will be the thing that I remember, that feeling of fun and light heartedness.

I wonder if it’s the same feeling standing at a slot machine in a casino. They say it’s the house that always wins, every quarter dropped into a never ending void of losses with just enough wins to keep the quarters coming. Never enough to feel satisfied to walk away from the game.

This morning I woke up at 3am, and unable to go back to sleep I sat in my chair with a study on the Names of God, wading softly into deep waters as I asked Jesus to reveal our Father ALMIGHTY.

I was there for nearly two hours.
Rest. Peace. Gratitude. Joy. Hope. Assurance.

Just now I opened up Facebook, I’m not even 100% sure why to be honest, and within 5 minutes I see posts that hurt my heart from both sides of the aisle. Posts not written by strangers mind you, these are people I know. People I love.
I see news articles of increased costs on top of increased costs, I see division, I see anger – oh wait – that one little funny post – maybe if I just keep scrolling…

At some point I sensed my joy being robbed.
Two hours of peace built. Five minutes of scrolling stolen.

A thief comes to rob, kill, and destroy.
Guard your heart above all else.
Pieces of scripture – I close my eyes and shut off my phone heeding this prompting by the Holy Spirit.

Our World has become increasingly big. A device that’s no more than 5-6 inches in length gives us unrestrained access to information on a global scale that goes from “being informed” to being bombarded from every direction, with every problem in every sector of every people group of every nation.

This world is overwhelming.
I can choose to not be overwhelmed.
I can love.

I can’t change who is in positions of leadership in any nation today.
Today, I can love those around me.
I can’t lower the cost of living here or anywhere else today.
Today, I can share freely what I have.
I can’t change how aide is sent or withheld today.
Today, I can give to organizations I know will get help to those in need.
I can’t stop how policies are implemented or changed today.
Today, I can give of my resources, my time, and my energy.
I can’t fix the brokenness of my country, or of the world.
I can rest in the One who is able.
I can trust in the One who can.
I can meet with Him anywhere, anyplace, and at anytime.
I can trust His love to wash over me, His grace to empower me, and that my petitions matter to Him.

I can be faithful.
Most importantly, above all else, I can love.

Relationships are built over coffee cups and around dinner tables. They are built in the hugs and laugher, and in the holding tightly through the tears. They are built in the joining of hands in work, in prayer, and in celebration.

I can’t “fix” so many things.
I can Love.

Maybe during this season that is beginning to feel like the atmospheric change before the eruption of an unexpected storm – when I go to reach for that small device, instead I can whisper – or maybe shout –

“I can Love”.

Then just set the phone back down for awhile longer, and instead, go and love.
Love God – Love Others.

And maybe the difference, the change we all truly need, will be birthed not from policies or products, just maybe it will be birthed from love.

In Love & Faith,
RaZella