Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Comments and the Fear of Man

In thinking about what to give up for Lent, it occurred to me that it might be an interesting experiment to let Steve choose what he thought I should give up (and vice versa). I had an idea of my own, which I still plan to do, but was curious to see what he might think of. He said he was game, so tonight we exchanged suggestions. His idea for me caught me by surprise. It definitely wasn't anything I would have expected him to suggest, but I said I was willing to give it a whirl.

Steve's thought was that I should give up blog comments, "because sometimes I care too much about what other people think." He wasn't sure if that was even possible, but I explained I could simply turn off the comments until Easter. He then said he didn't think that was necessary, that I could go back and read them later, but that I should just not read them during Lent. Fair enough--I can easily turn off email notification so that I don't get a message when someone comments--and writing about it here is plenty of accountability to not peek at them :)

While it may not be particular to blog comments--that's just a specific way Steve thought it could be addressed--I do struggle with fear of man (see this book for a really helpful treatment of the subject). I often place disproportionate value on people's opinions and not enough emphasis on God's opinions. (Is there such a thing as God's "opinion"? I mean, "opinion" implies there is more than one valid feeling/thought...but if God says it, that's the way it is, period...anyway, I digress.) Perhaps this unexpected suggestion from my husband--whose vastly-different-from-mine perspective helps me with blind spots time and again--will prove to be a valuable exercise in helping me set my heart on what God says and not make idols of the opinions of man.

So, feel free to continue to comment on posts here, if you're so inclined, but don't feel snubbed or ignored if I don't respond. I'll read it after Easter, and if you need to get in touch with me in the meantime for whatever reason, my email address is in the sidebar.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amy, this will be interesting! I don't know if you're not reading your comments starting now, but I appreciated both posts on Lent. I've never "done" Lent, mainly because I didn't grow up doing it and it's always snuck up me. However, I've thought about it a lot since reading Lauren Winner's article on the subject.

Bethany said...

That is so cool that you asked your hubby for input on what to give up. I am sure you will feel so blessed during this time and after. Lent kind of popped up on me. We have house guests and I have been too busy to think about much but have been on my own working on things to give up and cut down on and be released from for other reasons.

PS I always like reading your blog...even when I don't comment.