The Light brings light to a dark world and dispels darkness. We get to do what John did: tell others about the Light. But we get to do something that John didn’t: we get to be the light. When we do good to others in Jesus’ name, He is glorified and praised.

Jeremiah told Jerusalem’s exiles to seek the peace of the land in which they were displaced. We are no less exiles; this world is not our home, either. The way we become people of peace as we sojourn here is by praying for our fellow travelers.

God’s intention has always been to be in intimate community with His children. Sin made that impossible. Ever since God has been at work making a way to restore that relationship. Since a flawed humanity couldn’t come to God, God came to us.

Since humanity’s expulsion from the Garden we are torn between two worlds: the one that is and the one that ought to have been. While we look forward to Heaven “the stuff of earth competes for the allegiance” we owe to our Creator. How do we learn to live at peace in an environment and economy driven by the powerful forces of discontent?

The only fear of missing out we should have is the fear of missing out on Heaven. The fear of missing out drives our unwillingness to be generous toward others. Ironically, while selfishly clinging to what we have might ensure we don’t miss out on all this life has to offer, it may very well guarantee we miss out on the unimaginable goodness of the next.

Fear of missing out happens whenever our attention is diverted from what we have to what we do not have. In its conversation with Eve, the serpent subtly distorted God’s word: “Did God really say …. You won’t surely die!” The serpent’s distortions caused Eve to question God’s goodness and provision, and she became discontented. The only solution to FOMO is the contentment: gratefully focusing on what one has rather than grudgingly focusing on what one does not.

Social media was made for mic drop moments. We all know the rush of adrenaline at pounding out an angry post and hitting “send.” But while social media encourages people to make a point it often comes at the expense of making a difference. Christians’ social media posts ought to strengthen bridges rather than building higher walls.

Dirty laundry belongs in the clothes hamper not on social media. Rather than engaging in volatile social media exchanges, Christians need to (1) discern whether or not an issue is any of their business, (2) foster conversation by playing catch instead of just throwing things, (3) recognize that face-to-face talking is always best for anything important.

Social media is the number two time waster in America. Your social media “feed” is appropriately named because social media is a multi-course menu that you don’t choose. Despite what you think, you don’t control what you see in your social media feed. An algorithm created by mathematicians and used by marketers force-feeds you links to items you’re likely to buy and to reinforce ideas you already have – whether good or bad.

Exponential advancements in communications have resulted in huge increases in power and efficiency. Like every other technological disruption, social media wields great power. Splitting the atom can generate electricity and help cure cancer, but it can also destroy entire cities and render landscapes uninhabitable. Social media is similarly powerful. It can build up or tear down. It can promote good or evil. Christians need to recognize the power in their palms when they pick up their mobile phones.