I haven't been posting regularly for a while. I can't exactly pinpoint why, but my desire has changed.
It started out slow, almost unknowingly.
I didn't feel like posting about that time Husband did something sweet. I didn't feel like sharing a post on Facebook that slapped the opposing opinion in the face. I started thinking about my audience and what my post would do to their heart. In a normal day, I come into contact with anywhere from 1-20 people, in social media world, that number multiplies significantly. In one click, one second, I can send out my words to hundreds of people. Would posting about a loving husband bring grief to those single and hurting? Would I be bragging about my "perfect" life? Slowly, more and more, things began to seem "un-postworthy." I questioned the point behind every post/picture. Is there anything wrong with posting about my sweet Husband? No! Is there anything wrong with stating my opinion? No! But then I started to ask myself, is this to put my life on a pedestal or Christ? Do I want the praise or does God deserve it? Is my public acknowledgment of His blessings necessary, an outpour of my thankful heart, or is it to boost my image of being a gold star Christian?
God has recently been hitting me hard with the conviction of glorifying self. With Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, blogs, and Pinterest, everything can easily be centered around me. My selfies, my life, my words, my opinions, my publicity, my applause.
Usually, I'm on the other side of this trail. A tad bit jealous of the ones with great pictures, great bodies, great stories, great articles, perfect lives. Fighting the the invisible battle of "one upping" people with an even better article, statement, or picture. But now, I find myself hurting for those I once envied.
(Let me clearly state this now, there is nothing wrong with your pictures/posts. You're not a bad person for posting regularly. I'm writing this post to challenge you, as I am being challenged, to seek the point behind it all.)
It all comes down to the heart of it. Am I posting to get a pat on the back, a compliment, a virtual high-five? God's allowed my eyes to be open and conscious about what comes out through my fingers (social media) and my mouth. I have to be, we have to be intentional and conscious about what we proclaim. You never know who's dying to have what you're complaining about. You never know who's struggling with what you post. You never know who you're turning away with your strong opinions.
(Again, let me stress, God delights in the happies of our life! Big or small!)
He created giggles and smiles and innocent fun. And it's 100% okay to post on those things. Share your giggles! Share your smiles! Share your fun! God loves it! He created it!
Maybe take this as a challenge, if you were to label your pictures on instagram "self" or "Christ", which one would outweigh the other? Which category do your Facebook posts lean towards? When you go to bed each night, did your actions throughout the day serve God or self?
My hope, my desire, my goal is that people see Christ before they see Lauren. That they see His works before they see what Lauren did. That's my responsibility. God doesn't "re-tweet," "like," or "double-tap." I have to make His presence known. I can't expect people to assume He's important in my life.
These are a few of the verses that have motivated me to look at my heart in social media. (Of course they can be applied to anything you may put before Christ. For me, in this season, it's my heart in social media.) Take a look for yourself and ask God to show you where your heart is truly lying. Ask Him to make clear the line of promoting self and promoting Christ. Join me in this heart change.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in my that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." Psalm 139: 23-24
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Acts 20:24
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23
"Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks like. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21
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