I love social media. I get to interact with friends and family who are far away. I get to express my opinion across the vast nothingness that is the internet so that others might find out where to eat, who to listen to or what to do when your friend is on fire. I love the opportunities presented by having social media. But there is at least one thing that makes me...I think it's sad, but I can't quite put my finger on it.
Most of the time, I love reading what people stream across the internet. I love seeing pictures of my friends that don't live close to me right now. I hate seeing only their pictures and reading their words, but at least I get to still see a little part of their lives. I love to read the genuinely funny things that some of the people I follow on Twitter say. I love seeing how much of a passion Evidence (one of the MCs from Dilated Peoples) has for beautiful photography. I love keeping up with my Niners. Red and Gold! I love the insight and wisdom that brothers like Pastor Mark give. I love I love interacting, even if nothing ever get's said back to me.
But, this is where the struggle comes in. There is a side to social media that is ugly and swallows up peoples lives. They seek satisfaction on unhealthy levels through it. They beg and plead for people they follow to retweet what they say because "they're a huge fan" or because it's their/mom's/kid's/dad's/dog's birthday. They ask and beg for people to follow them. They say things that they wouldn't say in public. Those things make it quite obvious that they are desperate. Desperate for what? Fulfillment. They seek to have affirmation and to feel like they matter. They feel like the people/celebrities they follow are the only people that they can draw this from.
I won't lie. Sometimes my heart starts to think like that. I wish that one of the "celebrities" that I follow would respond to me, make me feel like I'm a "real person," do something that would validate my action. But you know, my heart is quickly called back to the truth. My life, my heart, and my identity are not found in what I tweet or what I put on my Facebook. My life, my heart, my identity, my validation and my worth are all found in Christ. Again, I'm not perfect...and sometimes I start to wish that someone on one of those social platforms would "pay attention" to me and say..."GREAT JOB, JUAN!"
But you know what? God is so much more loving, attentive and caring than any of those "celebrities" or people could ever be. His love and grace are so deep and reach far passed any place any validation by an athlete or musician could bring. The elation of a retweet wears off rather quickly. The love of our Father endures and strengthens and calls us back. We can't and shouldn't look to anyone on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere else to make us feel alive. Our life should be a reflection of God's immense love and grace that fills every single bit of our lives till it overflows!
One of the MANY verses that speaks of God's changing and sustaining power and love. Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
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