Jay Kim, lead pastor of WestGate Church, discusses the challenges of speaking out in the digital age. He emphasizes listening, explores God's timeless nature, and critiques the influence of social media. The conversation touches on human behavior, social media narratives, and the importance of spiritual connectivity in a noisy world.
Engaging with social media mindfully involves discerning the need to voice opinions online and connecting with God to navigate the impact on well-being.
The conversation explores theological concepts surrounding God's timelessness and challenges in aligning personal ambitions with God's eternal perspective.
Deep dives
Exploring Core Beliefs and Social Media Impact
Discussing the impact of core beliefs on interactions with social media, the podcast explores the tendency to feel the need to voice opinions in online forums like Twitter. The speaker reflects on his core belief that the world needs his opinion, leading to engagement with God to discern the impact of social media on well-being. Through intentional practice, he navigates social media mindful of God's presence, aiming to connect with God and restrain from unnecessary input.
Understanding God's Eternity and Pace of Life
Delving into theological concepts, the conversation centers on the idea of God's timelessness and eternity, contrasting human conceptions of progress with God's existence outside the linear progression of time. The speaker reflects on the challenges of aligning personal ambitions with God's eternal perspective, sharing insights on embracing the mystery of God and understanding progress within the formational journey.
Navigating Social Media Impact and Narrative Creation
Addressing the impact of social media on narrative creation, the podcast highlights how platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter emphasize entertainment over vital information. The speaker discusses the tendency for individuals to form quick narratives and jump to conclusions, driven by platforms designed to maximize attention and keep users anxious. The conversation emphasizes the importance of engaging deeply and critically with content, contrasting brief online interactions with the rich experience of exploring art or literature.
Embracing Spiritual Practices and Presence in Daily Life
Encouraging listeners to adopt spiritual practices, the discussion emphasizes the significance of incorporating rituals like the Lord's Prayer and the Examen into daily routines. The speaker shares personal practices such as praying the Lord's Prayer each morning and engaging in digital sabbaths to foster deeper connection with God and create space for reflection. By anchoring daily interactions in spiritual rituals, individuals can prioritize God's voice above external influences and navigate the complexities of modern life.
If you struggle to keep your thoughts to yourself in the internet age, you’re not alone. On this episode of Being Human, host Steve Cuss admits that he struggles with a core belief that sounds something like the world needs my opinion. What are Christians to do in an era when there’s nonstop opportunity to reply, comment, and react?
On this episode, Cuss welcomes someone he looks up to in this regard: Jay Kim, lead pastor of WestGate Church in San Jose, California and author of several books, including his latest, Listen, Listen, Speak. Kim and Cuss consider the implications of God as infinite and humans as finite and the immensity of eternity. They talk about Kim’s emphasis on listening, formative moments in his faith, and how he believes social media is shaping people. Their conversation covers spiritual practices that can help us remain rooted in a tumultuous era and points to the characteristics of God reflected in creatures and creation.