Greetings digital world. (This post doesn’t have much significance to The World Race, but God has been teaching me some truth that I feel called to share.)
Recently, I’ve been thinking about how dehumanizing social media can be. It’s made us a culture infatuated with human praise. We’re enslaved to the toxic impulse to seek approval and validation from others. I’M HERE TO SAY IT’S WORTHLESS. It’s all a mirage. We only post the most appealing parts of our self-made “life.” I’m guilty- I post the pictures that are taken on good days- with smiles, good lighting, quality and filters. You don’t see the me that’s having a bad hair day, or a food baby because I just ate 3 burritos and Ben&Jerry’s, or crying in my car because I’m stressed out. You only see what I choose to reveal. Through our social platforms and in our attempts to elevate ourselves, we unknowingly create a false image of irrational standards that others then try to conform to. Why? Because if we aren’t seeking our validation and approval in Jesus alone, then we will seek to find it in other places- (how many “likes” or “comments” our picture gets. or how many Facebook friends or Instagram followers we have.) These things are meaningless. People weren’t made to glorify other people. We were made to glorify God. The only one worthy of the glory.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting we should all delete social media and move to a hut in the mountains to fix this approval problem. Nor am I suggesting that social media is bad or evil. I use social media and see many beneficial aspects of it. The pro’s are awesome- keeping up with relatives & old friends is made very easy. The use of Facebook and Instagram to share inspiration, motivation, and encouragement is another great aspect of the digital world. There are many good things. But we as humans (me, especially) have a tendency of taking good things, becoming addicted to them, giving them control to parts of our lives, and turning them bad. Allowing something once innocent to become dangerous. My heart behind this blog is just to make this generation more aware of this bondage we’re caught in to the approval and instant gratification of the world. If we take our desires of wanting to be loved, accepted and approved to Jesus instead of to our News Feed on Instagram, this world will begin to change. Just let it sink in and think about what you look at and what you post. Recognize your intentions. Recognize your heart behind your actions and thoughts.
(SO, when you see the beautiful supermodel, or the adventurous vlogger, or whoever is getting your praise.. recognize the good in them, yes, but don’t let it change you. YOU are a unique, purposed, individual & “perfect” is just an illusion.)
In Jesus..
You are accepted. John 6:37
You are loved. Romans 5:8
You are complete. Colossians 2:10
You are extremely special. 1 Peter 2:9
There is no need to seek those things in the world. They are fulfilled completely in the loving arms of Jesus. He is waiting with open arms for you to realize that and receive Him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
-Brynley
