A New Community

We are wired for relationships. That wiring goes back to our image of
God creation. So wired in fact that we pursue them online if they are
not available in the flesh. Online, it might seem, is safer, more
accepting. But is it? In "You are Not a Gadget" the author says we
all have a troll inside (read, we are fallen and sinful) that comes
out. ONline communities do bash, they do reject, they do hurt and
have powerful influence. In 2008 Korean movie star Choi Jin-sil, some
described her as the nations movie star, committed suicide. Why? She
was hounded by online trolls. ONLINE!!!

She is not the only one hurt by online. Far from it. Online has a
sense of anonymity but that is not safe, just distant. What we long
for is a new community, one where acceptance is given, forgiveness
releases and joy is abundant. Can't find that online necessarily.
That new community is found whenever and wherever we live out the Word
of God. Wonder if we could create a new community in the Innovation
Way of Orlando? If we began with acceptance, forgiveness, the
willingness to listen to understand would that not open ears and
eyes... and hope?