Why blog?

I laugh at how my generation is becoming addicted to this new world of blogging. The college students don’t understand my obsession....but one day they will. It is so foreign to them--because they live in the now. They record their lives on Facebook with pictures and short conversations that are replaced several times in a 24 hour period. But one day they will look at life and wonder, What they are leaving behind? I think blogging is one way we (older people) are answering that age old question. We look at our children and know that we will forget. We look back over our lives and see the mistakes that we made and never want to make again. We see issues that are bigger than ourselves and want to spread awareness to anyone that will listen. I recently read an article written by John Piper about why pastors should blog. This most certainly is a new topic in the realm of ministry. But I loved the way that he made his case for blogging. And I think it applies to a much bigger audience than just ministers. Aren’t we all preaching? So here is my favorite point on why we should blog:

To develop an eye for what is meaningful.

For good or ill, most committed bloggers live with the constant question in their mind: Is this bloggable? This could become a neurosis, but I’ll put a positive spin on it: It nurtures a habit of looking for insight and wisdom and value in every situation, no matter how mundane.

If you live life looking for what is worthwhile in every little thing, you will see more of what God has to teach you. And the more he teaches you, the more you can teach others. As you begin to be inspired and to collect ideas, you will find that the new things you’ve seen and learned enrich far more of your life than just your blog.

Amen. I couldn’t agree more. So keep your eyes peeled for the lessons God is teaching you. And find an outlet for sharing those insights with the world. But be careful....blogging can become obsessive! I think that was what Piper meant about the negative aspect. Some people get swept up in the egocentric aspect of their blog. Everything becomes about them. Blogging can be a blessing if we keep our eyes on what is meaningful.