Responsibility and Motivation

I'll be honest, when I read this, I was annoyed. I was annoyed because I agreed with her feelings but didn't like that she communicated them.... but, at the same time, I was glad she did say something... but then I didn't like that it was even important enough to say something... but I still think the church (as a whole) should be called out on being more aware of it's tendencies. I don't know. I am clearly conflicted.

See? I've had this same feeling before. People like to engage when things are (dare I say) shallow; but when posts become heavier, or less flattering to the human ego, or confusing- people disengage. It's frustrating. I understand how she feels. But every time I've felt the urge to say something, I settled on the concept of being responsible for myself. 

I was raised with the constant nagging (love you, mother) to not base my actions on how others will most-likely respond... or in this case not respond. Why? Because, not only am I am assuming how they will respond, I am assuming the responsibility of altering their thoughts; and that is not my responsibility. I submit that sometimes their assumed response may change how or when truth is presented, but never that it is presented. 

So in her case, I agree- it's down right annoying that readership would fluctuate based on how uncomfortable/guilty what she is sharing might make others feel; especially when she is talking "about what the Bible says about taking care of the poor, or share stories from trips I’ve taken (Haiti, India, Uganda – soon to be Moldova and Russia), my stats tank". But being "angry" about "stats tanking" implies an expectation. 

Honestly, I thought she seemed a bit cynical, but she still makes a good point.

If anything, you'd think the church would be more engaged by such topics. But so often, when guilt responds to what someone else says, or the way someone else lives, or if we don't understand something, we limit how much we engage with the ideas presented. It's as though the church would rather stay inside the lines even if it means false piety.

At the end of the day, if no one seems inspired or moved by what I say or share, should it really bother me? (that's rhetorical) Perhaps, though, the bothersome part is not in 'the stats', but in the implications of silence.