Why Do We Blog?

"Why do we blog?" We ask ourselves this question because we want to do everything with purpose and intentionality. Social networking can be a dangerous thing for lots of reasons, but for us the greatest risk is self-elevation and arrogance. Jesus said, "I do not accept praise from men" (John 5:41). We cannot think of a more noble estate than His because it represents the starkest of contrasts with ours. So we fight hard to make sure that we do not blog to receive honor. We walk by simple faith (and hopefully not by sight) through our pilgrim's progress just like every one before us has and just like every one after us will. Falling prey to the battle of pride haunts us at every turn. And while this is not why we blog, it is what ironically drives us to blog. Attempting to expose our faults, struggles, heartaches, successes, joys and gifts keeps it real. And since our inclination is to live privately, blogging helps to live publicly so all can see and know that God is pouring rain and radiating sunshine upon us in ways and measures that are not necessarily unique, but are personal. And while there's really nothing "new under the sun", and thus what we have to share isn't terribly revelational, we need to be often reminded that the hardships and abundances of life are shared in common and in community. Blogging assists us in that commonality and community, and so we blog to lower ourselves because, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6) And grace is what we need most.