See, I conducted a little test recently. I’d been getting some what restless and down. The more down I’d get, the more I’d grab my phone and look at my Facebook or e-mail. As a homeschooling mama, my social media becomes a way of connection for me throughout the day—I know I’m not the only mom who does this…not even the only lady who does. Add to the fact I am home all day without any other adults, but I’m also pursuing publication; a world where we hear the word “platform” a lot, which is code for lotsa followers, lotsa readers, BIG numbers people—build a tribe! So when I’d pick up my phone and there were no new emails or no Facebook notifications, well, I’d get more down. Why do we do that to ourselves?
That’s when it hit me…
I was in a dangerous spiral!
Now I know that I’m not suppose to get caught up in all that stuff. I know my value is directly proportionate to only one thing: God. And I’m beyond secure in the fact that He loves me, so that means I’m pretty special. Same goes for you—and if you don’t know that, you should. God LOVES you. An insane amount. TIMEOUT HERE: If you’ve never realized that, take a second right now and ask Him to show you, because He will! (Or inbox me and I’ll pray with you. Let’s get this settled once and for all! GOD LOVES YOU!)
As for me and my incredibly silliness over social media, I was caught up in this world’s value system, a nasty place to be. You’d think we’d outgrow it about the time we left High School, but as women, I think we’re pretty susceptible to this. And as I reached for my Facebook one more time to check who was talking to me I heard this little voice “You know, if you checked My Book as often as you checked Facebook, you wouldn’t be in this spot.”
Duh.
And I KNOW this.
I just momentarily forgot.
So I decided right then and there that every time I picked up my phone, rather than hitting my email or Facebook Apps, I’d hit my BibleGateway App. I chose one Bible passage for the day (Psalm 62 to be exact)and read through it in place of reading everyone’s statuses or scrolling through my homepage. Whenever I’d get the itch for Facebook, I’d pick up my phone and select a different translation of that same verse—NIV, NAS, The Message—there’s twenty-seven different ones on that App. Or sometimes I’d focus on just one of the verses.
And as I made my mind steadfast on God, His perfect peace invaded my day.
Yes, having a network of fellow believers around us is important. We’re not meant to go-it alone. But it won’t matter how many people speak into our lives if our Father’s voice isn’t one of those speaking, because at the end of it all, His is the only voice that truly counts.
So I challenge you today. Pull out your Bible or pull up BibleGateway on your computer or if you’ve got a phone, download the App. Then mark a passage. And today, each time before you check your Facebook, read that one passage or verse, because there’s nothing better than your Father’s voice speaking into your day.
Okay, truth time here, in this day of social media right at our fingertips, how often do you check your Facebook or other social networking sites? How do you handle balancing it all?
Wow, I love this and I love how you went to your Bible app instead of facebook. Because, yes, I've pretty much become an "Oh, I have a second, better check Facebook...or Twitter...or email...or my log" person. And I'm not really cool with that. I think I want to copy your experiment!
ReplyDeleteIt's worked so well - doing it again today:) It's way too easy to get sucked in with all those little moments, right? Just lemme check...yeah, definitely NOT where I want my mind to go first!
DeleteWhat a great idea, Susan! I really like this. I know where you're coming from, because I'm a stay-at-home mom, too, and I connect with people or with the real world out there through Facebook or e-mails or whatever. And I get caught up in it.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I had to stop using my computer and bring out the pen and paper so I'd get something done. That's one thing I do a lot when I'm getting too caught up with social media. I shut down the computer and use a paper and pen.
Thanks for this today!
That's a great idea too, Cindy! I'm gonna try that too. Some days I just need to power down I think. It's a double-edged sword b/c how nice for us to be able to quickly connect with people, yet I don't want to be caught by it! It's all about finding that balance.
DeleteI love this, Susan. I could take a lesson! I'm going to do that!
ReplyDeleteWorks wonders for my state of mind, Jess. And goodness knows my mind can use all the help it can get;)
DeleteGreat post, Susan! I find that I check facebook more often if I've actually posted something. But I've been kind of laying low on facebook, since I've been busy working . . . plus, it can really eat up a lot of time. I check it maybe once a day, and I try to keep it brief (maybe 15 minutes). I love your idea though, to open up a Bible app instead. I'm going to give that a try! : )
ReplyDeleteThank you for another encouraging post!
Thanks for the reminder to be in His Book more! I check my email a few times a day, and I'm only a recent Facebook-er, so I check that an average of once a day, if I remember. But, thanks for being open about this. I often reach to other things in my spare time over the Bible. They are not bad things, but God's Word needs to be in my life more often than it is.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Julia