Social Media's Not The Problem

It's been almost a month. One month without social media. Some of you are probably like "that's not that long." Other's may be like "Oh my goodness, I could never do that." Trust me, I used to be on that second boat right there with you. The simple thought of giving it up and your hands start trembling with unease. I'm writing this to tell you about my month off social media.

God is so good. A month ago, I decided to go off social media after having it on my heart for awhile and being convicted by a John Piper sermon.

In the sermon he talks about Hebrews 12:1-2, running the race to which we are called. What hit me is that when God calls us to lay aside every weight, immediately I feel we think of sin issues. Which are indeed "weights" that need getting rid of, but if you take a step back. Don't ask yourself "is it sin?" Ask yourself, "Is this helping me run?" Is this thing drawing me closer to God, or holding me back from a closer relationship with my Savior?

That was just super eye-opening and convicting. So, thank you Mr. Piper for that. But guys, I'm not hating on social media. I love it, and oh man have I missed it. Social media isn't the bad guy here, I am. I let social media become an idol in my life, I let it become my god. I would wake up in the morning, and immediately reached for my phone to check the latest tweets, instagram posts, facebook statuses, or who updated their Snapchat story.

It wasn't just in the morning. Throughout the day, I would check it multiple times. An embarrasing amount of times if I'm being honest. I spent so much of my time staring at this little device. I found myself attached to this device in my hand. Rarely would it leave my side. It had become a distraction, and I couldn't even see it.

I would use excuses like "Well, I'm encouraging others" or "I'm getting encouragement from others" and don't get me wrong, social media is great for that. I don't know how many times I've seen people's posts that have made my day, or encouraged me spiritually. Social media can be a great thing for that. But while I was staring at my device, looking at all these posts about God, God was always right by me asking me "Joel, why don't you talk to me, I'm right here. Why are you picking that phone up more than you are spending time in my Word. Why don't you talk to me anymore?"

And it was true, my Christianity was lived more in my posts and in seeing other posts, than in my real relationship with God. In posting about Him online, I had lost sight of Him.

This last month has been so, so good for me:

- I now have freedom to dig into God's word without being distracted by notifications.
- I now have the "time" (which I've always had, I just didn't make it a priority) to read books that encourage me in my spiritual walk.
- I now have the "time" to do other beneficial stuff (workout, haha still working on that one, read a book just for fun)
- I now have freedom to enjoy family time, without being distracted by someone liking my tweet, or uploading a new instagram photo.
- I now actually can engage people at work on my break, rather than just diving into the realm of online friends.
- I now have a huge distraction off my shoulder while doing homework and actually feel productive sometimes.
- I now have a new perspective on social media, and realized as good as it was, also how truly detrimental it was.

My story may not be your story, and maybe it is. Whatever your story, I would really encourage you to take a step back and examine your life and your heart and ask yourself "is this helping me run?" I'm still in the same process. Guys it's not just social media, it's anything in your life that takes the place of God, it's anything that you look forward to more than time with God, or that you replace with your time with Him. I would encourage you to lay aside every weight, so that you can run this race and finish well.

Just to clarify as I said before, I don't blame social media. I blame myself, afterall social media is really all that we make it. If I make it an idol, than it's an idol. For me, it was. But I don't think it's evil, I actually am serious that I was encouraged many times on it. And I do plan on going back on social media every now and again, and maybe completely back on eventually. But my prayer is that if I do choose to go back on completely, that it would be God-honoring. That I would be on it sparingly, and use it for His glory. That it would no longer be a distraction or hinderance, but a tool God uses in my life through others and others through me.

Also, if you've ever had the urge to go on a social media cleanse but just "aren't sure" I would just urge you to (as does Nike) just do it. You won't regret it, but you won't realize how truly freeing it is unless you try. I think it's important for every single person to unplug every once in awhile.

I also encourage you to really seek God, seek to become closer to Him, seek to know Him, seek Him. I've been that person, who posts stuff about God, but in reality my relationship with Him is so dry. It's so easy to fall into the trap of social media Christianity. I encourage you to put down your phone, pick up your Bible, read an encouraging book, spend more time in prayer.

Apologies this was so long and probably full of rambling, but I just felt lead to share it.

Seek Him Always.

Joel

An Unpromised Tomorrow....

Time. A thing I've been thinking a lot about lately. With recent events, Christina Grimmie being shot, a mass shooting, it's made me think a lot. First off, my heart is broken for everyone effected by these tragedies. When someone dies because of sickness, or other natural causes it's really sad. But when I hear situations where people's lives are taken from them it's sad, to me, on a whole other level. I think of the sadness it brings me when I hear about such tragedies as these, and I can't even imagine the pain those who actually experienced or saw it first hand. Or even the heartache the family/friends of those whose lives were taken. 

Through the sadness though, I know there is purpose in the pain. There is strength in the sorrow.  Strength that will help to make it through these hard times, when at times I know it feels like you have nothing left. And even though we may never know why these things have happened, I know that there is a reason. That our sovereign God is in control. And that He has a purpose for everything that happens. Through the bad, through the good, through everything He is on the throne. He is good, all the time.

Secondly, these recent events have reminded me that none of us are promised tomorrow. Many times I feel like many of us tend to think about "when we get old....", "when I'm older......", "in a couple years when I....." you fill in the blank. But we are all guilty of it. Not that it's a bad thing, but it's important to remember that our time on earth is limited. And tomorrow isn't promised. 

"Desire that your life count for something great! Long for your life to have eternal significance. Want this! Don't coast through life without a passion."

I don't want to go through life living it without a purpose. I don't want my life on this earth to be wasted. At the end of my life I want to be satisfied with how I lived my life. I want to make a difference in the lives of others, I want to give glory to God every day in everything I do. I want to be an encourager. I want to use my talents for His kingdom. I want to love others as Christ loves me. I want to live for something bigger than the here & now. I want to live to further His kingdom. I want to be a life-changer. Not a time-waster.

Live every day with that purpose. Don't waste your life. Don't forget that tomorrow is never promised. My thoughts and prayers are with those in Orlando. 

~ Joel

Here we go.....again.

Well, here goes the whole "Joel's starting a blog thing" again. Now would be an appropriate time to roll your eyes. But seriously, this is my third time doing this. Third times a charm though, right? I've always had a passion for writing, my dream one day is to have a book published, although right now that's exactly what it is. A dream. But I always liked the idea of blogging, the problem is keeping committed to writing blog posts. So, I need accountability people. Feel free to punch me in the arm (I was about to say face but I'm sure many people would actually take me up on that) if I give up on this. Please keep encouraging me to keep blogging. You could also help me by giving me topics to blog about. Well, the first blog post is always the weirdest I suppose so I'll just wrap this up by saying thanks for reading this not-so-great post and here's to (Lord-willing) many more blog posts! 

Until Next Time,

Joel