Always on Display

Recently, the University of Southern California (USC) football team suspended projected starting RB Marc Tyler for making innappropriate comments to TMZ.  To read the article from ESPN detailing what was said and the reaction that followed, click here.

This is just yet another example of how our lives, as believers and ministers, are always public.  No matter where you are or what you are doing; whether it is on Facebook, Twitter or Google +, what you think could be/is private is never really private.  Things you say and do can always come back to haunt you.  That is why you have always be on your guard at all times.

I had a policy when I was a Youth Director and now I have it as a Family Minister for all my Staff and Volunteers that nothing questionable can be on their Facebook or Twitter page.  For instance, I don’t want to see pictures of the leaders with beer in their hands or at a questionable party.  Now I don’t care if they have a beer and they are over 21 – it is their legal right.  However, I don’t want to have our students and parents we are ministering to see those pictures. I hold the same policy for inappropriate language as well.  The reason is simple – it gives people an excuse to drink and do inappropriate things in their own life.

Because we are always on display, it is vitally important that we are cautious in the image we project.  I’m not saying we have to project that we are perfect and have no struggles.  That’s not real, authentic or accurate.  However, there are things that we can control that will either paint us in a godly, Christlike light or in a light that distracts from Christ’s example.  In everything we do we will either draw people closer to Christ and drive them further away.

So TAKE A MINUTE and think through what image you are projecting to people.  Is it an example that, while real and authentic, drives people towards Christ or away from him?  As Christ says in Matthew 5:16, “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Agree?  Disagree?  Thoughts, comments and questions are always welcome