Sacrifice Is Alive And Well (Depending On Who You Ask)

As a proud member of the Facebook nation, I was recently shocked at how many Facebook profiles I saw that said something like this:

I'm giving up Facebook for Lent.

I know there's something to be said/discussed/debated about a culture that is so entrenched in an internet network that they feel the need to "give it up," but that's not really my specific point here.

No, what I found most interesting (and encouraging) is that these folks are at least recognizing something that's taking their time and attention. Again - we can certainly discuss the year-round implications of Facebook addiction at another time - but I think that any time we see people, especially students, willfully recognizing the need for sacrifice, it's a good thing.

Maybe you think Facebook is evil. Maybe you think blogs are gigantic waste of time. Maybe you are offended at the thought of spending as much time on the computer as a typical high school student. That's okay.

But if a kid realizes that he or she is devoting attention, class hours, spare time, creativity and opportunities to be with, you know, real people, I think we should applaud that kid.

I want to be like that kid - I want to look honestly at my life and ask:

"What's stealing my time from me? What's taking precious hours of meditation and worship and fellowship from my life?"

And I want to do something about it.

It may not seem much to a lot of us...but for a lot of kids, giving up Facebook is a big deal...and I rejoice with them in their commitment.