I hate texting. God hates texting. I am sure that when I get to heaven, one of the rules will be no texting. I am good with that.
One of the reasons I hate texting is that I don’t understand proper texting etiquette.
To help me see I am old, outdated, and too set in my ways, Melissa and Allison, both of whom are twelve years old, explained to me whenever I get a text, the proper thing to do is respond. I don’t see why I should. All I need is the information, not a texting conversation where I have to laboriously type out a response filled with misspellings due to my fingers hitting the wrong letters.
Allison said I was as frustrating as her father. I took that as a tremendous compliment but I’m not sure she meant it that way.
Another reason I don’t like texting has to do with my own ineptitude.
This past Monday, I wrote a devotional about how bad the sermon was and that it had been a disservice both to God and our congregation. It really was a stinker.
In response, Cindy, who prays for me and our church every Sunday texted: “Don’t worry, you are covered on Sunday! BTW, after your stinky sermon, Earl said, “He is so good. We are so lucky to have him at our church.” Does that mean that he likes stinky sermons? I’m worried.”
I texted back: “Yes. You should be worried. I love you both.”
The problem was I didn’t send the text to Cindy. I sent it to Kay. So I am pretty sure Kay and Howard are wondering what they should be worried about and why I love them.
The point to this meandering story is that I do not like to communicate by text. It’s not my thing. But does that mean it’s wrong?
If I am going to be intentional about spreading God’s love in a world filled with darkness and despair, I must use every means at my disposal. This means live streaming worship services through the internet, radio broadcasts of the worship services, daily devotions sent on email and social media, teaching Bible studies on Zoom, and every other form of technology that exists – even texting.
I am convinced that God expects followers of Jesus to do everything they can to bring others into the light of his peaceful, healing love. It’s biblical.
This is the same rationale Paul used in saying, “ I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 19:22b-23)
We must do whatever it takes to let others know about Jesus. That’s why we are here.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, please use me for your purpose. Help me carry your message of love to those who are lost. Fill my mind with wisdom, my heart with peace, and my spirit with joy. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Like Paul, we’ve got to do whatever it takes to help others accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, even if it means texting.
Also, just for the record, if you ever get a strange text from me, just know I accidently put you in the wrong conversation. Cindy, Earl, Kay, and Howard aren’t the first. And they won’t be the last.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 