Sometimes, Just Receiving is Okay
“Share.”
“Retweet.”
“Post.”
The calls to action on social media are there constantly. Each time we see something beautiful, experience something exciting, or even have an opinion on some matter (big or small), we are encouraged to send it out into the digital world for any and all to see.
And there is nothing wrong with that. It is fine to share a picture of a gorgeous sunrise, a fun outing with your family, an exciting moment in life, or even just a thought on some pressing matter.
However, what if–just every so often–you decided not to share it?
At first, that sounds almost like an unchristian attitude, doesn’t it? I mean, we are to be blessing-givers and we want to share good things with other people. The digital revolution and social media have expanded our ability to share far wider than we could have dreamed just a generation ago.
However, sometimes, we need to learn to just receive, as well. God, in His infinite love, gives us boundless gifts. I just wonder sometimes: in our rush to share things with others, are we too quick to forget to actually receive and enjoy the blessing?
I don’t want to lift a thought out of context, but consider this simple phrase from Paul from two different translations:
“God…richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17, ESV).
“God…richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (NASB).
I know those are very similar, but I wanted you to read both translations of that verse so you would be forced to focus on the implication of the words. God gives every good thing (cf. James 1:17), but here, Paul says that God does so so that we can enjoy them.
For some, that “enjoyment” is sharing good things with others, which is part of the reason why it is not wrong to pass along a picture, video, or statement via social media.
However, that enjoyment also should include–for everyone–simply receiving and being grateful for what God has given you in the moment. Maybe it is a glimpse at a sunset prettier than any you have seen in months. Maybe it is something innocently hilarious that your toddler did. Maybe it is a freshly fallen snow in your yard. Maybe it is a smile on the face of your spouse. Maybe it is the variously-colored leaves making an array of color in your neighborhood.
Just once, try enjoying that glimpse of God’s blessings without so much a thought of sharing them with anyone else. Use that moment to draw closer to Him by being grateful for the ability to see or hear or experience what you are enjoying. Praise Him–by yourself–for that blessing. Take in the moment and let it fill your mind with wonder at the infinitely powerful and loving God.
You may not get any likes or retweets, but you may just find yourself closer to your Lord than you have been in quite some time.
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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
