There have been several important news events in the past few weeks and months.
This summer, usually a slow time for news, has been a near constant barrage of stories of how our lives are changing and developing — politically and socially and, perhaps, spiritually.
I spend a fair amount of time keeping up with the news. Besides being a concerned citizen, it is often expected of a person in my position to be aware of, or conversant in, current events.
In the midst of all these news stories, I have noticed something that concerns me greatly. It is not a specific headline or news items. Instead, it is the entire dynamic of how quickly we expect each other to respond to events. Headlines and news stories are almost instantaneously surmised and dissected via tweets and blogs. Now, electronic posts of 140 characters or less seem to be newsworthy themselves. Hashtags have become the new way to foster conversation.
This has left me with a rhetorical question rolling around my mind: What would Jesus tweet?
Don’t get me wrong, technology is a great asset to our lives, including staying in touch with the events of our world. I read websites at breakfast daily, and I check news websites frequently through the day to keep up on international, national and locals news.
But, I do not follow anyone’s Twitter feed. I subscribe to no blogs. I don’t even keep up with email newsletters. I believe the information age has given us many great gifts and tools, but I also believe that there is a great difference between information and wisdom.
Information is about knowing facts, or at least being aware of what is perceived as factual. Wisdom is understanding the meaning of information. It involves the careful consideration of what is important and how we should respond. It calls for deep thought, meditation and prayer.
The funny thing about our lives is that it takes an increasingly short period of time to gather information, but technology has not shortened the time needed for wisdom.
Wisdom still takes the same amount of time to garner. Discernment cannot be rushed.
Sometimes, inspiration comes in a flash. Sometimes, revelation arrives in the blink of an eye. But, other times, it is slow in coming and perhaps even longer until we understand it.
As I often muse, it is 100% easier to discern God’s hand after it has passed than during its passing.
I worry that we are so enamored with instant news, instant responses and instant opinions that we are leaving little time and giving little value to a timely consideration of what it all means.
Again, what would Jesus tweet? Perhaps just a few words: Think, consider, pray.
That seems like a goodly and holy challenge — and all in just 22 characters!
The Rev. Dr. Thomas Thoeni is rector for St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, in Plant City. For more, call (813) 752-5061.