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
