Okay, full transparency here: this is the third time I’ve sat down to write February’s update. I can’t promise that it will be more polished as a result of my numerous attempts, but I can promise that it will be as authentic as possible. We’re finally thawing out after our winter storm. No power loss, no ice damage, but we’ve still got some icy roads and piled up icy snow around outside. In addition to shoveling off the driveway, I’ve been digging myself out of the mountains of paperwork covering my desk. But I’m making progress, and the fact that you’re reading this right now is proof. Hooray!
For those who know me well, it will come as no surprise that I much prefer implementing well-prepared plans to flying by the seat of my adventure-loving pants. Shoot, even writing these monthly updates is something I set reminders for and set aside dedicated time to work through. But the Lord enjoys keeping me flexible and on my toes, so when He “interrupts” my orderly plans with His divine order, I really want to respond humbly. So I waited a bit to get words to paper, and then edited those words more than once, and then waited again as He continued showing me more of His heart. I still feel like I’m in the learning stages of whatever season this is and would much rather communicate a clear path forward with clear vision and clear focus rather than the messy process of sorting all that stuff out. But ministry is about relationship, and I would rather have you join me on a present adventure than simply hear about one I had in the past. So with that, here we go!
The prayerwalking trips have been put on hold for a bit, and with Tom’s numerous surgeries and procedures, plus a busy holiday season following much of that, I’ve been home a lot more than usual for the past many months. I asked the Lord a while back about what He wanted me doing right now and where He wanted me to focus my attention and efforts. He responded with two words: “Steward Parler”. No, that’s not a person. Parler is actually a social media platform that’s part of an entire digital ecosystem. I know, that sounds way “techy” and I’m not a social media guy AT ALL, so what gives? Well, I knew about Parler from its COVID days and how it became the target of many who were frustrated by its free speech advocacy. Amazon, Apple and Google all deplatformed Parler in early 2021, but it has since reemerged under new leadership and independence. It’s still very much in its infancy, but I’m praying for its continued success as an honorable alternative to all of the social media garbage that permeates our culture. My friend, Tom, connected me with Parler more directly last year and we’re invested in its success. But how exactly does the Lord want me to STEWARD that?
I sat in on a community call this week that really helped me better understand the heart and vision behind Parler as a company. And I think it’s resonating in my spirit right now because it connects so closely with the Lord’s heart in bringing our family here to Tennessee. More than any other activities, pursuits, or commitments, everything about us being here is to prioritize relationships. That is the DNA of the seed the Lord is planting here in Memphis with our family, and the same DNA of His larger move stirring within His Church. Our society is desperately searching for authentic and genuine relationships, and that presents a tremendous opportunity for God’s people. If we will open up our lives to the relationships God has for us, prioritizing those friendships above so many other things clamoring for our attention, we’ll find ourselves both fulfilled and fruitful.
Parler is being built as a people-centered community that really prioritizes connection among its participants. That focus on relationships is incorporated into so many of the company’s efforts to grow and expand. That’s not me pitching or promoting a social media outlet (totally not my thing). Rather, it’s a simple acknowledgement that God has hardwired His creation to crave relationships. That’s the fundamental truth I firmly believe the Lord sent us here to walk out in real life friendships as our family’s PRIMARY mission. My job is to steward that call and steward it well with our family.
But stewardship is not just about the activity and work—it’s also about nurturing and guarding the heart behind all of that stuff. In Luke 12, Jesus instructs His disciples not to worry, especially about their physical needs, and tells them in verse 34, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Without missing a beat, the Lord then compares them to slaves who live in readiness for their master’s return. He doesn’t emphasize their activity, but their preparedness. Where was their focus? What were they treasuring? Their hearts were set on their master’s arrival and the anticipation of his return. Such expectation reveals a heart focused on His kingdom, not simply on the assigned duties and tasks associated with our role as slaves. That larger focus, like the focus on relationships, often gets blurred by the busyness and activity which consume so much of our lives.
I’m often reminded of Jesus’ words in John 15:12-17, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends…This is my command: Love each other.” Jesus draws a direct connection between friendship and sacrifice. He doesn’t emphasize His universal love for all of humanity, nor the Father’s redemptive plan as explained to Nicodemus in John 3:16. Here, Jesus says that SACRIFICIAL FRIENDSHIP is the ultimate expression of love. Is that what people see when they look at my life?
Man, talk about being challenged! If the world identifies us as His disciples, not by our love for the lost, but by our love for one another (Jn. 13:35), how easily can I be identified as a follower of Christ? Are my friendships my priority? Does my time reflect that? Am I treasuring my friends as I should, engaging my heart and sacrificing myself for them regularly? Do my friends feel treasured? Do they know that I value them and do they know why? Like Jesus describes in John 15, do they know my business? Have I opened up my heart to them as I should and lived transparently before them? Or have my friends been more a matter of convenience than focus, something I take for granted rather than truly investing myself in?
If any of that is challenging you, welcome to my world. Man, this constant recalibration of my focus feels like a full-time occupation. It’s also required regular shifts in my approach that involve more waiting than I’d prefer and a long-term focus that I too easily lose sight of. Sure, there’s activity now, but I have to keep reminding myself that the reason I’m doing stuff NOW is because of what He’s bringing NEXT. Huh, kinda like those slaves waiting for their master. The investments now, the time spent with friends now, the sacrifices made for them now—it’s all preparation for His arrival, the Holy Spirit breathing His life into an abundant harvest just before Christ’s return. It fills my heart with such joy to witness how our family’s invitation into our lives, our welcoming of friendships, bears more fruit than any of our other activities or endeavors. There’s simply no substitute for personal relational investment.
The Lord’s instructions to “steward Parler” may have more to do with heart focus than actionable steps I’m supposed to take. Of course, knowing how God tends to operate, I’m sure there are elements of both involved. I don’t know much about the social media world or what the future there looks like, but I’ll follow the Lord wherever He says to go: Lakeland, TN? Pentecost Walk? Parler? I can only steward all of those things if I live humbly, faithfully, and with open hands…just like my friendships. I place no expectations on any of you reading this, except that you would know you’re loved. Our family is humbled by the financial support you send, but more humbled by the trust you’ve given us. Thank you for sacrificing on our behalf, because we certainly feel cherished. Your prayers for us and your kindness toward us truly is our testimony to others of the love of Christ thriving within His body. If you want to support us financially, the link is newlifebarstow.com/give. I really do enjoy the phone calls, texts and emails, so keep ‘em coming! And please let us know how we can better serve you and love you. If that means you’ve gotta come visit/vacation/move? to Lakeland, TN, know that you’ve got friends eagerly waiting for you. Just don’t come when it’s ice and snow everywhere.
Love y’all tons and tons,
The Roberts Family
(Cliff, Denise, Purity, Wisdom, Truth, Justice, Honor and Life)