Here’s a fact, social media isn't going anywhere.
Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitter, and Facebook are only increasing in consumers—not to mention influence. And everyone is involved. From grandchildren to grandparents, social media users span generations. It seems no one is too young or too old to find their corner to connect with others on social media sites.
Recognizing this, I've begun to reflect on I, as a Christian, can best engage on social media.
While I still have much to figure out, I've found 2 questions to be helpful whenever I’m considering a post.
1) Is this post coming from a place of peace or anxiety?
More often than not, anxiety drives posting on social media.
We fret about which picture to post, how to best edit it, and what time to post it so more people see it. We're worried about getting more likes than our last post.
This is because we're hungering and thirsting for the approval of others.
We’re after affection acquisition.
We're anxious for it.
I'm anxious for it.
Keeping this in mind, the first question I ask myself is what's driving me to post something? If it's anxiety, I'll close out the platform and do some heart work.
Where's this anxiety coming from? What insecurities are being revealed? I'll try my best to prayerfully process what's going on and I'll cease my efforts to post for at least a day.
But if I'm coming from a place of peace, then I move onto the second question.
2) Is this post motivated by a love of God and others or to gain the love of God and others?
As someone who regularly posts about the Christian faith, I'm susceptible to not only be after the love of others but God as well.
It's easy it is develop a showy spirituality with an eye to the heavens. Deep down believing that God will love me more if I post some scripture or share my writing.
If I look at what I'm about to post and reflect on my feelings, sometimes my motivations are off. I'm after affection and I need to step away from whatever it is I'm considering posting.
Fortunately, this isn't always the case.
If my self-reflection passes these two questions then I’ll post. Grateful for the opportunity to check my heart and pour the love I’m feeling into the digital world.
The next time you post, try these questions out. Hopefully their as life-giving to you as they are to me.
Something I love: This Song 👇
That’s it for this week’s Crosstalk. If you were encouraged, would you forward it to a fried?