Alice Greczyn Instagram – A long time ago, before terms like ‘influencer’ and ‘cancel culture’ existed, but after MySpace died and Instagram was born, a friend asked me with curious sincerity why I didn’t use what little fame I had to talk more about issues I cared about. I told him that one leftover from Christianity I still very much appreciated was Matthew 6:1-4:
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
I hadn’t believed in heavenly reward for some time and still don’t, yet I do still find wisdom in this ancient verse. I’ve picked and chosen the battles I speak publicly about. Knowing my motives for speaking up or staying silent has been the key to my inner peace, no matter what critics express over either—another verse I still love is Ecclesiastes 3:1: “To everything there is a season.” A season to speak up, a season to stay quiet.
This is just to affirm for those staying quiet about whatever issue you’re being pressured to make public statements about: Your motives are your own. Your intentions, actions, and inactions are your business. Donate anonymously if you wish. Learn in private without the paralyzing fear of public accountability (aka, shame). Stay strong against the tides of ignorance, peer pressure, and bullying. Silence is not always violence no matter how many guilt trips the impassioned employ. “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,” says Solomon in Proverbs 17:18, another lingering verse I love. We need no more fools.
In short and for those who need this encouragement: Keep doing you. | Posted on 12/Dec/2023 20:43:09
