"What one thing should I eliminate from my life because it holds me back from reaching my full potential?"
~John Mason, "An Enemy Called Average"
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
~Hebrews 12:1-3, ESV
***
John Mason asks a great question. What should I eliminate from my life? What is it that's keeping me from reaching my full potential? Joel and I have discussed this, and we both think that social media has to go -Really go- from our lives. I wanted to give all of my Facebook friends a bit of a heads-up before I jump off-board, and maybe give some insight as to why, and what God has been challenging me (and Joel) to do in my life.
1). Social media is an incredible tool, but I know that I have been guilty of using it for more than just a tool, it has been my entertainment. Using it for entertainment purposes is innocent enough, but if I were honest, I would have to tell you that I spend far more time than is necessary on it. It's fun to post statuses, and I love the interaction, letting people know what's going on in our lives. I know our families in particular appreciate seeing photos of us and the baby; actually, mostly just the baby. ...Okay, just kidding, ha!... But there are other ways of doing that, and I think the time has come to seek those other avenues out, because
2). I'm tired. Tired of being addicted (yes, addicted) to a screen where all I see are people's opinions. Now, everyone is completely entitled to their opinions, I'm not complaining about that. It's all good and well; but I see a trend to post particularly political updates, and news posts. We all have our sins that we wrestle with on a daily basis; mine in particular is the sin of worry. Facebook has been a place where I come to rejoice with families over happy events, and mourn/pray for those who are struggling and facing some of life's toughest issues; but when all I see reflects the degeneration of this world we live in, it makes me sad, and is one unnecessary tool the Devil uses to easily invade my thought life with "What ifs" and "What will we do when...". God Himself tells us not to be "...anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication [to] make [our] requests known to God..." (Philippians 4:6). But if I am "Giving the Devil a foothold" (Ephesians 4:27), then I am only hurting myself, and honestly, my testimony. Additionally,
3). I have a very real concern about becoming a distracted parent. See, I have been around kids before. A lot. And I know that the easiest thing to do is to set my kiddo down in front of a television. Or check Facebook intermittently while they are doing things. I in no way think it's always bad to do these things, however I know, given my current use of these things in my own life, that I have a propensity to making things like this a habit. Nothing worth having comes easy; and Joel and I have chosen to be extremely stingy on the entertainment level with our kids, for a variety of reasons (Not that we are sitting here thinking other parents are wrong to do some of these things, not at all! It's merely that we know before God that this is the way we need to raise our children!). I am choosing instead to discipline myself in the way of entertainment, which is sorely needed. It is true though, and widely known that
4). In many ways, Social Media has become a replacement for real relationships. That may be only on an extreme level, but to some extent, it is true. It allows me to think I know someone I do not. It allows easy access into their lives, to a point, but I know that it is no substitute for real, lasting friendships. That said, I truly DO enjoy seeing what people have been up to lately; but there again, it gives me a false sense of community. One advantage though of Facebook is that it makes it easier to keep in touch with friends and family. But even so, what ever happened to email? Or blogging? In fact, in my next post, I will share with you some of the things I intend to do instead of being distracted by Facebook, and why it's a very exciting thing.
Comments
Post a Comment