Excessive pride. I’ve got it, and it’s not pretty. Like most humans, I don’t like admitting weakness, either. It’s Monday afternoon, and I’m recovering from a three-day trip to California. The words drained and sluggish come to mind. This happens to other people, right? Of course it does.
Reasons: I never got used to the time difference, days were long and filled with activities (little time to “come down”), meeting so many new people at once and listening to new ideas put a strain on my brain, such as it is.
It seems like the whole world is moving at normal speed, and I’m walking among the living in slow motion and everyone is a blur. I’m having trouble stringing together coherent thoughts. But here’s a thought I have no problem expressing: I’m angry that the Associated Press reporter who was supposed to interview me for her widely-disseminated story on GodBlogCon decided not to for reasons unknown. AP stories are picked up by various and diverse newspapers all over the world.
My sister says there will be other stories, better stories some day. She’s correct, I’m sure, but I want “some day” to be “now.” Covetousness. Lust. Sins. Despite my grumbling (which vexes God very much), I trust God, and I ought to start showing it. But I admit it. I want to advance the kingdom and receive worldly praise. More sin. Fallen but forgiven.
In my Christian Blogging 101 session, I wanted us to do some self-reflection. As professing Christ-followers, the world is against us, and Satan — yes, Satan, an actual being — will use people and even our own weaknesses to oppose us. He knows I love to “debate” and to be right. When he sends his minions to annoy me day and night, I must call on a power greater than he is, the One who made him. The Enemy is created, just like me, not Creator. Amazingly comforting.
It was good to be around other Christians who wrestle with the same issues I do. My church congregation counts, but being with Christian bloggers is…different. Despite the press of late, blogging is still new and constantly evolving. I still don’t quite know what to expect from all this, and neither do they. I often ask myself, “What am I doing on this thing every day? Can’t I find something better to do?”
Yes I can. I can be a better blogger.
In response to my question, “What have you discovered about yourselves through blogging,” one blogger said he’s learning what it means to be a good Christian. Before the blog, he was focused on being a “good Republican” or “good conservative.” Radical mind-shift.
Weaknesses discovered through blogging? Various answers: the need to be liked, to be recognized as a great writer at the expense of our purpose as Christian bloggers, un-Christ-like responses to commenters, too much passion, too much righteous indignation and too little love and grace. Christians, bloggers and non, must remember that we may be all the “Bible” some people will read. We may be the first “Christ” they’ve ever seen. Are we worthy of such an important mission? Ought we to cease blogging until we know how to get it “right?” Or does allowing the world to see us raw, honest, prideful, stubborn — human — provide an opportunity to witness that much more effectively?
Self-examination is good for the soul, Christian bloggers. Believer, judge thyself!
(Pictured with me is a budding young comedienne and future blogger. 
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People I met after the convention at Grace Community Church: Fred Butler and Phil Johnson.
GodBlogCon Recaps: Jolly Blogger, Smart Christian round-up, GBC Blog round-up, Mike’s Noise, DJ Chuang, Charmaine Yoest, The A-Team Blog (and thoughts on men and women bloggers), Skye Puppy, Talkwisdom, The Sheep’s Crib, Another Think…
Also see A Ready Defense, Jordan’s View, Writing Write, Just A Woman (What a woman!), Mark Daniels, Voice in the Wilderness, Holy Coast, great interviews at Blogs for Books, B Relevant…
I was interviewed for an upcoming story in this wonderful magazine. I’m glad I found the growing homeschool blogging community.
