I have been doing a lot of soul searching lately about how social media affects my life.
Trust me, I am NOT against social media. It connects us to the world, to old and new friends, incredible ministry and business opportunities like never before.
It is needful, and, like it or not, it is permanent in our world today.
But, as with anything, there need to be ground rules in how we use it.
How much time do I spend on social media? Haven't gotten the nerve to get that specific yet.
But I do believe I waste more time than I should. Yea, I know I do.
This week, I am asking God to reveal what the balance should be for my life in regards to social media.
I shudder at the thought of being so tied to social media that
I cannot function without it.
It is an important tool for the things that I do. So I need to learn how to use it effectively. Wisely.
Social media does a few things that I believe induces dependence:
1. It strokes or deflates our ego (depending on how "popular" or unpopular we are in our social media world) Recently I had that feeling when - for six weeks on Facebook - only a handful of people were talking to me. Then I realized that my status post default had been set for only family to see. It was good to be back in the world of my FB friends!
2. It gives us a distraction from things in our lives that may be difficult to deal with
(not always a bad thing to take a break from things in our lives, but there are dangers in spending a lot of time in social media when you are feeling vulnerable. Too many temptations lurk.)
3. It gives us a sense of importance when someone "retweets" us or "shares" something we posted
4. If it gets uncomfortable or overwhelming, we can usually move away from it or change the way it responds to us, unlike life - there is no shut off button. With social media, you can choose how much "fix" is enough. You can even change your identity - your user name - block people you don't want there. There is a sense of power to social media's flexibility.
Mind you, there is so much more depth to social media's magnetic draw. One day, when I'm not intensely editing my next book or waiting on my new granddaughter to make her debut, or spending time with my parents, trying to get to the bottom of my mother's health...maybe I'll delve more into it.
If you are reading this and have not a clue what I'm talking about, then you have not been drawn into the enthralling world of social media. BE THANKFUL.
The video below is tongue-in-cheek - and you may even find it a little corny, a little over the top, but I think the producers are not far off. The addiction to social media is portrayed much like a drug addiction would play out.
My heart's desire today as I seek God's will and a healthy balance in my life. Will you join me??
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence,
and in your moral excellence, knowledge,
and in your knowledge, self-control,
and in your self-control, perseverance,
and in your perseverance, godliness,
and in your godliness, brotherly kindness,
and in your brotherly kindness, love.
FOR IF THESE QUALITIES ARE YOURS AND ARE INCREASING, THEY RENDER YOU NEITHER USELESS NOR UNFRUITFUL IN THE TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
(II Peter 1:5-8)
