A Social Media Confession
Friends, I have a social media confession. Let me first say, I’m so pumped it exists. I scroll through Instagram or my Facebook feed, and I'm genuinely happy to see pictures of my dear friends, especially those I haven't seen in a long time. I think, "Thank God for Facebook, Insta, and Twitter, or I would never be able to keep in touch with all these people I love!" But once in a while, when I forget to guard my heart, I'll catch a post about a selfless husband voluntarily cleaning the kitchen or see a picture of happy children in front of their beautiful, expensive home. Maybe I’ll read a blog by a girl my age who's so much better at working out and eating her veggies. Plus, her hair is perfect. PLUS, she’s going on a European vacation. PLUS, she just quoted that amazing Bible verse that blessed my heart and, well, how dare she when I was in the middle of judging her perfect mermaid hair. Congrats on being a Disney princess-come-to-life who also trusts Jesus better than I do.
Suddenly, I feel gutted. "Are Jasper and I terrible at love?" I think to myself as I read the happy marriage post. "Why don't I have it figured out like these people do?" And just like that, I turn friends whom I love into enemies—opponents in the “game of life.” I hate this. I create it in my mind. I assume the worst of others' hearts and bring out the worst in mine. I confess this to you because writing out the words, speaking them aloud, exposing the hidden, ugly parts of my heart forces me to shine a light where there was once only darkness. It forces me to tell you the truth, and ask forgiveness for every time you tried to share a chapter of your story, and I was too busy comparing myself to you to be happy for you.
Friend, please forgive me. And because in Him there is no darkness at all, in this little moment, I am set free. Free not only from my addiction to comparison and approval, but also free to love with gospel truth beating in my chest. To see others—and myself—as more than just a Facebook page.
To check my own heart when I post.
To hold onto some moments privately so I can remember that the living is more valuable than the posting.
To send messages out into the world that help others feel less alone.
And to keep learning how to infuse the gospel into our social media-centric culture. Because, gosh... I've barely scratched the surface of understanding. #WhatWouldJesusTweet #Blessed?
Maybe you can relate to some of the thoughts I’ve expressed. I’d love to talk to you about it. Let’s sit at the kitchen table and laugh, pray, and learn together. I know this: I am so much more than what I post online. And I think you are, too. In our heads, we know this truth, yet our hearts can quickly believe the lie that people are the sum total of their Instagram accounts. Sisters and brothers, we are so much more. God’s writing a bigger and better story than what we allow others to see on social media.
So I’ve decided. I'm tired of feeling left out, not enough, or in competition with the people around me because of the internet and—let’s face it—my own sin. Today, I will choose love instead. The Father’s honest, vulnerable, liberating love.
It may not change the social media world forever, and it may not change my ugly heart forever. But it'll change me right now, in this moment.
... and maybe it’ll help you feel less alone.
