61 Days
Facebook.
I’m really amazed by some of the people who I’ve run across in my Facebook adventures. In many ways, it’s been a great tool of redemption. As time fades the still frames of yesterdays memories to golden shades of sepia, I all too often wish that those images could be hidden, put away, or simply set ablaze in the furnace of the forgotten. Facebook helps me do that, or it helps me remember differently, and for that I’m grateful.
I guess it’s a natural part of growing older to realize that who I used to be isn’t who I wished I’d have been. Every day I realize that my son is on a light-speed collision course with a social circle that mommy and daddy can’t control, and we can simply do our best and hope he’s better prepared to be a better man than I was. I’m already mourning all the young men like me who will have to give their lives for looking at my precious little angel. 
Growing up is a beautiful part of life and I’m grateful for the places I’ve been and the people I’ve met. I also hope that my son in High School is a very different young man than I was, and I pray with all my heart that Reagan never crosses paths with someone like me. Again, it’s not that I WANT to kill them…
Facebook, however, has allayed some of my guilt and angst at the person that I was in the years gone by. I’ve had great conversations with people who I wasn’t emotionally secure or intelligent enough to care for way back then.
It’s been such a positive social experience that you’d be hard pressed to find the 20 minute period in my day when I’m not checking or updating or commenting. The beauty of social networking, however, is not without cost. At first blush, my wife and children would seem to be the primary casualties of my plugged-in-ness, but I’m not so sure…
I’ve recently walked through one of the most intense spiritual and emotional seasons of my life. Fret, fear, anxiety, hope, despair, elation, wonder, and the full willingness to examine everything in every aspect of every corner of my life isn’t easily conveyed in 140 characters or less. If you know me, you know I can’t say my name in fewer than 140 characters, much less process the fire-forging my soul into the shape and form of divinity.
So when my soul hungers, and it seems that tumors develop on my psyche, it’s time to stand down and allow the moments that forge deep waters and strong roots. To that end, I’m pursuing 61 days away from social networking. My hope is to come here and share my journey. My hope is that you will weigh in and travel with me as I go. Your encouragement and advice are invaluable. This isn’t an experiment in technical monasticism. That experiment has been done, and being alone isn’t the goal. This is a deliberate moment of stepping away for the singular purpose of hearing the whisper of God above the din of white cultural noise.
My curriculum during these 61 days will be Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice by Dallas Willard (there are 61 daily reading chapters, hence, 61 days). If you’ve read it or would like to read it, I’d love to have you along for the journey. If you haven’t read or don’t care to read the book, I’d still love to hear your feedback.
Thanks for coming along for the journey. May the next 61 days surprise you and I both with the grace and glory of a God who renovates, redeems, restores, and remakes us better than we could ever hope to be.
Love your blog, Jason, and am here to encourage you in your journey! I struggled with joining Facebook (silly, I know); it all seemed a bit self-absorbed to me. Imagine my surprise to discover that I have a lot of friends who are gifted communicators and oh-so witty!
On a note more related to your blog entry, I recently discovered Renovare, a nonprofit organization that “advocates, encourages, and resources intentional living and spiritual formation” and “becoming like Jesus.” Dallas Willard and Richard Foster are both on the ministry team. I don’t know if your abstinence from Facebook also includes websites, but I’d love to get your opinion. The two books I’ve ordered from Renovare I’ve loved. I think I would also like the one you’re reading. I will look forward to your blog entries!
Hi Donna! I think Renovare is doing a lot of really great things. People like Willard, Eugene Peterson, Richard Foster, and a whole slew of unknown others are saying what lots of people have known all along… it’s all about Jesus!
Thank you so much for your kind words about my blog! It’s just what I needed to hear. You always have such an encouraging word. Stay tuned, and keep letting me know what you think.
I’m glad you are blogging again. Personally, I love your verbose chatter, because it shows thoughtfulness. I often get the feeling from your words that you do not beleive the ‘truth’ of a given situation is on one extreme or the other, but rather there are bits of truth located in both places? I’m not saying truth is gray or undefined. But thoughtfulness can maybe reveal truth from places you didn’t expect. I don’t really know what I’m saying…just keep talking I guess
And I think FB is a great way to stay connected with folks, but I also think it tricks many into thinking that friendships are simple. I think friendships are complex and require a lot of time and work. 140 characters cannot maintain healthy relationships with hundreds of people. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you’re blogging again, and I’m excited to hear all about the good things that come out of this season in your life. We’d all be a little better off, i think, if we made the point to “de-clutter” our lives and focus on what really matters.