Dear God…/Memorial Day Reflections

Dear God…

How ya doing? 

It’s been a few weeks.

Can we talk again? 

Does this time work? 

Before we dive in, can I ask a favor of Mother Earth? 

You know she’s filling up my M.U.G with you and the Universe. 

I generally don’t ask for much, which makes me horrible to shop for, but I have this big bike race in Kansas this weekend, and it’d be great if it didn’t rain. 

So, could she hook us up with a dry day?

Thanks for allowing me to ask. 

Okay, now I’m curious. 

It’s Memorial Day weekend here in the States. 

So many have paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting in your name.

How do you feel about that?

Does it concern you? 

And why is it that we guys start nearly all of the violence? 

I guess we can blame it on testosterone, but what about your feminine side?

After all, we come into this world through our mother’s intimacy, care, and stability. Isn’t that you, too? I don’t believe you’re vengeful; I see you as loving. 

And yet, we are gravitating to this hyper-masculine image of you.

If folks wish to see you as male, who am I to judge?

But is there no room for a more balanced identity? 

One that is strong, protective, compassionate, and inclusive?

I wonder if we’d have less war, less violence, and less suffering if we saw you through a more balanced perspective. 

Personally, I see your feminine side. 

Y’all get major props for your attention to detail. 

Like how you highlight the sunset with just the right shade of peach. 

I’m just sayin’… 

I don’t know many dudes, bless their hearts, who are that attentive. 

So this weekend, even with all the festivities, it’s a somber time. 

Some folks are asleep. 

Some are half awake. 

Many are worried; they’re anxious. 

I’m optimistic, but I’ve been feeling the feels this year. 

I just hope our fallen soldiers who fought for unity didn’t die in vain as we figure out how not to be so divided.​

It’s something I’ve been thinking about, and a couple of days ago, I asked ChatGPT this question: If it wanted to divide society, and its only weapon was a smartphone, how would it do it?

In a friendly female voice, it said:

“I’d probably exploit social media algorithms to amplify polarizing content—pushing extreme viewpoints and emotionally charged news. I’d create echo chambers and fuel outrage. I’d encourage constant comparison to increase anxiety and resentment. Misinformation would spread, deepening mistrust and division. It would all come down to manipulating attention and emotion—to keep people perpetually at odds with one another.”

And here we are. Crazy, right?!?

So, this leads me to something else I want to ask you.​

​Do you like hip-hop, God? 

I think you might because it has gospel roots.

I’m sure you know Notorious B.I.G., right? 

He’s up there with you.

He recorded a song called Ten Crack Commandments. 

The fourth one is: “Never get high on your own supply.”

It came out in 1997, ten years before Steve Jobs introduced us to a new drug called the smartphone. Like crack, it gives us a high, and it also tears us apart. 

In a funny, not funny way, Jobs shared that he and his wife limited how much tech their kids could use at home. It sounds like tech execs and drug dealers follow the same fourth commandment.

There’s so much to stand up for today. 

Genuine connection over digital distraction

Truth over performative outrage

Science over snake oil 

We also have to figure out how to face the algorithm. 

It’s costing us joy. 

It’s costing us connection. 

It’s costing lives.

Don’t you see this happening?

Don’t you get mad that leaders misuse their power to exacerbate pain, sow division, and profit from our distractions?

In 1 Corinthians, it says: “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

In terms of escape, you weren’t talking about doomscrolling, right? 

Gosh, I hope not.

Instead, I pray that you give us the courage to look up from our phones so we can see, hear, and love each other better before it’s too late. 

Before more fall from war and violence. 

Thanks for listening, God. 

Sorry, I did all the talking.

And don’t forget to ask Mother Nature for that favor. 🤞

May peace be with all of us.

Michael

💫🙏

A couple of days ago, I shared something exciting.

The new Microdose EQ feature on my Pause Breathe Reflect app is now live for iPhone fans on iOS 16 or later.

It’s a life-changer.

It will help you stand up to the algorithm.

It will help you reclaim your time.

It will deepen your connection with yourself, others, and nature.

If you already have the app, thank you.

Make sure you’re using the latest version by updating it in the App Store.

And today might be your lucky day if you don’t have it yet. 

Try it free this week and watch your unproductive screen time drop by up to 50%. 

And get ready to be thanked by your future self.

After you download it, we’ll even help Mother Earth by planting trees or removing ocean plastic whether she keeps the rain away or not this Saturday. 

Hey, we believe in unconditional love here. 🤍