WEDNESDAY'S WORD - FOMO - Sadell Bradley 02/22/17 New Life Covenant CIncinnati

"The fear of missing out on things makes you miss out on everything."
Etty Hillesum

I thought that FOMO was only a millennial expression until I saw it in the dictionary.  FOMO stands for Fear Of Missing Out. It is anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, aroused by posts seen on a social media website. Going a bit deeper, Wikipedia says it is a pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent. This social angst is characterized by a desire to stay continually connected with what others are doing. FOMO is fear of regret - a compulsive concern that one might miss an opportunity for social interaction, a novel experience, profitable investment or another satisfying event. FOMO perpetuates the fear of having made the wrong decision on how to spend time as you imagine how things could be different.   

FOMO is birthed out of comparison and breeds insecurity. We look at what others are doing and assume that their family, work, church, financial position or experiences are better than ours; which causes anxiety. Insecure comparisons are not new, they're just 'on steroids' because of social media. In 2 Corinthians 10 some of the leaders at Corinth were judging Paul by appearances (vs. 7), comparing other leaders with him then questioning his authority. They said, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and amounts to nothing." (vs. 10) He assured them, what I say in my letters I am well able to enforce when I'm present. In modern terms, my actual life and authority is the same as what you heard in the press or saw on facebook. We would do well to adopt Paul's mindset:

We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. 14We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. 15Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, 16so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else's territory. 17But, "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."18For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

If I'm content with my life, focused on the assignment God has given me, and not so concerned with how it compares to yours... the fear of missing out diminishes. I'm not missing out on anything by being faithful to what God has called me to do, which is completely different than what He's required of you. Does it even matter if all of our boasting is to be in the LORD? In this day and age when we seek to have everyone follow, like and love what we do... He is the only one who can ultimately approve and commend us! If I am fully present and joyfully engaged in what I've chosen to do socially, it fills me. I'm sure that your thing is great and has filled you too! Not doing anything for fear of missing out? that's where we lose.   

Today starts our Annual 30 for $30 Giving Campaign for Missions Projects for 2017.  If you'd like to give $30 or more CLICK HERE

SUNDAY Worship

11:00 AM Worship
The Great Room Sunday Class
9:30 AM Youth Room Basement
at Wyoming Presbyterian
225 Wyoming Ave., 45215
For information 513-212-1131