Unplugged and Inspired

Yesterday Mark Oestreicher from Youth Specialties posted a blog saying that among other things, he was ending his blog, closing his Facebook account, and cutting back on travel. The reason? He wanted to give more time to his family and the staff of Youth Specialties. Marko and Jeannie are dear friends and his blog touched me.

It seems to be touching others too. One youth worker friend of mine told me, “This gives me permission to end my Facebook account too.”

I’m glad that Marko’s cutting back gives others freedom to do so also. I really am. But even in the midst of my love and appreciation for community, I wish that we all could give ourselves permission because of God’s grace, not because of someone else. One of the insights we’ve been reminded of during our current Urban Self-Care Tool Kit is that many of us (myself included) are more driven by expectations (others’ and our own) than a sense of God’s call that flows from God’s amazing grace.

God speed, Marko. Or maybe it would be better to say God slow down, Marko… And the rest of us too.

©2009 Fuller Youth Institute