Help! Love, MOM

Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart,for everything you do flows from it.

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (NIV)

I took an accidental break. It was a super busy time at work and I felt like I needed to prioritize my students. Next year I hope to plan for the busier bits of the year better.

For context, NYC schools go to the end of June. Summer school begins right after the July 4th holiday.

It feels good to be back. But, when I looked up, this was going on – the Kiss Cam scandal.

Mercy!

In a shocking turn of events at a Coldplay concert, career executives were caught on the Kiss-Cam engaging in what appeared to be an intimate display of affection with someone who was not their spouse.

The incident, quickly dubbed the “Kiss-Cam Scandal,” has left many questioning the role of self-deception in our lives, careers, and relationships.

Jeremiah 17:9 states, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” This verse highlights the danger of self-deception.

I suggests that we — easily — convince ourselves that our sinful actions, do not have consequences.

In this case, these executives face a scandal due to their apparent romance. They risk losing committed relationships and professional reputations.

What may have begun as a “harmless” flirtation has now harmed their personal lives and careers as well as any public trust they enjoyed.

I have no idea if either of the individuals are Christians.

Isn’t it interesting how hypocritical the internet is?

On the one hand, you don’t have to click far or fast to find vile, disgusting content freely posted and liked. But this particular moment is being held up by many for ridicule and mockery.

The Coldplay incident serves as a stark reminder that self-deception can often pave the way for disastrous, unintended outcomes.

We may believe we can manage or hide our flagrant flaws, but eventually, these hidden actions are exposed. I know what a painful shock it can be to discover a loved one’s secrets after their passing.

In life or after death, these sinful, destructive actions are often made known to all.

I pray that by God’s grace I will live a life that is full of good works now and that won’t embarrass my family after my demise.

Our integrity, once compromised, can lead to the emotional and reputational devastation of those around us. Family, colleagues, and community members are all potentially impacted by choices they did not choose.

So, how can we avoid falling into this trap?

Praying to God in the name of Jesus regularly, both alone and with at least one other person, will help us to make a practice of self-awareness, acknowledging the subtle ways we justify questionable behavior.

Tell Him everyt’ing – It’s great knowing that God will not put our messiness on the jumbotron of heaven!

Also, a good church community may be a source of accountability partners who can offer honest and wise feedback. Remain in relationship with other Christians.

In our social media, likes, cancel-ready, speed of light culture, we, too, may find ourselves going viral for all the wrong reasons breaking the heart of God, our family and that of the Christian community.

xoxoKimberly