"As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly." Proverbs 26:11 "Thank You Sir, may I have another? Thank You Sir, may I have another."
'Another what?'... you ask? If you have ever watched National Lampoon's "Animal House" (which being a pastor, this is something I do not advise you to do), you know exactly what they wanted - - another humiliating paddling by a fraternity brother. The movie shows how far a group of freshman will go just to join a frat house. The movie was meant to be comedy; but for many, hazing and humiliation is a secret reality that is tearing them apart. This isn't just true for those who want to be a part of Greek life on a college campus, but it is happening daily all over social media. We will hurt ourselves just to be liked. People will do very humiliating and foolish things to be accepted...we are gluttons for punishment. I know I was, and probably still am. In fact, I went through far worse hazing than "Animal House" depicted just so I could say I was a member of "Chi Sigma Alpha" - - even allowing myself to be tarred with molasses and feathered with corn flakes. I became an idiot just to join a group of idiots who enjoyed making an idiot out of me. This idea of gluttons for punishment came to my attention after I read an article two days ago in the New York Post entitled, "Our Double Lives: Dark realities behind 'perfect' online profiles." Listen to some of the quotes: There are 80 million photos posted in Instagram a day. Facebook has 1.49 billion active users per month. Twitter has 316 million active accounts; Tumblr 230 million. Pinterest has 47.66 million unique visitors from the US alone and is the fastest-growing independent site in history. Increasingly, most of us are living two lives: one online, one off. And studies show that this makes us more vulnerable to depression, loneliness and low self-worth. In 2013, scientists at two German universities monitored 584 Facebook users and found one out of three would feel worse after checking what their friends were up to — especially if those friends had just posted vacation photo. Do people really get depressed checking Facebook? Then why do they still do it? We are gluttons for punishment. Listen to this: A 2014 survey conducted by the Manhattan-based marketing agency Current found 61 percent of millennial moms were rattled by the pressures of social media. Why do moms feel like they have to be perfect online? Why do they always have to be eating healthy, have beautiful meals prepared, sunlight beaming perfectly on their Fettuccine Alfredo, have late summer sunset shots by a lighthouse while their husband or boyfriend is outfitted in the in a dark grey suave suit kissing them passionately on the lips while a dolphin is splashing in the background just as their youngest kid is building a monster sandcastle? Why does everything have to look perfect? We are gluttons for punishment. Here is one more sad quote: Steers cited the work of social psychologist Leon Festinger, who, in 1954, came up with “social comparison theory,” the idea that we measure ourselves in relation to others’ failures and successes. Studies show young people, no matter how accomplished, are the most vulnerable. Take Madison Holleran, a beautiful Ivy League student, star athlete and all-around popular girl. Her Instagram account only underscored this image: parties, friends, track meets, her dad cheering her on. But Madison was keenly aware of the difference between her online life and her real one. She once corrected her mother, who told ESPN The Magazine that after looking at Madison’s photos, she turned to her daughter and said, “Madison, you look like you’re so happy at this party.” “Mom,” Madison said. “It’s just a picture.” On Jan. 14, 2014, Madison posted a photo of trees strung with lights, bulbs glowing against the twilight. An hour later, she leapt to her death from the ninth floor of a parking garage. Why???? Why are we such gluttons for punishment? Because we want to be liked? There has to be more to it than that? I think there is. The scriptures say the problem goes deeper, it actually is central to who we are as human beings. The bible says we are alienated from our Creator. Sin has brought separation, and we are always on the run to hide who we really are. Adam and Eve tried to hide behind fig leaves; we hide behind the 'Ludwig' filter on Instagram. This is why there are so many verses in the bible that keep screaming to us, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" God wants you to know you are loved, unconditionally. Do you know what unconditional means? There is nothing that can separate you from his love. There is nothing you can do to make him love you less. There is nothing you can accomplish to make him love you more. You are, as you are, lovely to God. So you don't need to punish yourself anymore. You don't need other broken people to say you are not broken. God loves you...isn't that enough? Boy, I sure hope you like this post? See, there I go again...I am a glutton for punishment!
2 Comments
Sadie
10/16/2015 06:26:51 am
Oh heavens no. Moms can't post pictures of fettucine alfredo. Do you have any idea how much fat and gluten is in that?? Better make it a picture of grilled salmon over a bed of quinoa and roasted broccoli.
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Chris
10/16/2015 07:16:57 am
Sadie, my bad, and thank you for making me laugh this morning, that is one of the best comments ever!
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