Positive Use of Social Media
Are you one of those who say people spend too much time on social media? I tend to agree. But I don’t agree it is something that should be cut out of my life with the swift knife of a New Year’s resolution. For me, it is a way to love people and point them to Jesus.
Case in point: Let’s say a teenage friend posts that she feels ugly. I take that opportunity to point out her true beauty as a child of the Most High God. Whenever I see a negative post from her about something she feels or does, I try to respond with biblical truth that points her to Jesus and a more positive way of life. I never judge her, but remind her of how much I love her. I want to encourage any tiny step I see her take in a better direction.
This week my young friend posted that she’s going to try to make some changes. She wants to turn her life around and start on a better path this year. I’m not naive enough to think it was because of me, but I hope that my encouragement and love has helped her feel less alone and able to see there are other options. Just yesterday I sent her a direct message saying I’m available if she ever wants to talk and gave her my cell phone number. I got an immediate reply saying, “This really means a lot to me. I love you guys. And definitely–I will.”
Will she contact me? I have no idea. But here’s what I do know–without social media,
- I would have lost contact with this girl when she moved to another city a couple years ago.
- I would have had zero influence in her life at a time when she needed it most.
- I wouldn’t know how to get in touch with her.
- I couldn’t let her know how much I still care about her.
This is only one small example of using social media in a positive way. Sure, there are plenty of reasons to give it up, but there are just as many not to. So this year, I vow to continue using it to lovingly touch others, show them a more positive way to live, and pray for needs as I see them posted. Along with that, I also vow to make more time for face-to-face contact with the ones I love most, and put my technology away when we converse.
Who’s with me? What ways have you positively used social media? How will you change your use this year?
This is so good, Linda, and it is true with so many things in life! I try not to waste time on Facebook, but I check it every few days. I like to wish people a happy birthday, or encourage my friend who recently lost her husband. I was shocked when I received over 64 birthday wishes on my birthday and was so blessed by the comments. The key is balance. We can use social media for good. I love what you wrote!
You’re so right, Crystal. Balance is the key. I’m one that tends to spend a lot of time on social media. If I find it starts interfering with my responsibilities or real life relationships, I pull back. Too much of anything, no matter how good it is, is dangerous. Thanks for your encouragement.
Good article, Linda. To be honest, I’m on Facebook every day. It’s how I keep up with friends and relatives around the country, and also who has birthdays. I get (and post) prayer requests on it too. Through FB, I tracked down my roommate from 54 years ago before I got married.There’s also a group from my hometown that I enjoy reading. But–as in anything–it can be overdone. (I read the postings a lot when I’m on hold on the phone.)
I’m on FB every day, too, Donna. Usually, several times a day. But it connects me to people I wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity to influence for Jesus. I have conversations with people on FB that wouldn’t occur any other way, including face to face. It’s an incredible ministry tool if used properly. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Absolutely! I like how you’ve been bringing out “balance” in the comments. As with everything in our Christian life, we aren’t allowed to just be all-or-nothing people: we’re supposed to learn moderation.
Personally, I don’t have time to do more than see what a few close friends and family are up to on my personal profile, but I’m busy running a page several times a day.
Before I started, I couldn’t give you the names of people who would recognize me who weren’t already Christians, now I have a handful I pray for by name every day. None of them even live in my country!
It seems to me God is just as excited about the opportunities we have to interact and share His truth as the Enemy is to bring in temptation and destruction. It all comes down to what we choose to do.
Isn’t it neat to watch God work in so many different ways? Sounds like God is really working through you via technology, Cheri. Fabulous! Thanks for reading and commenting.
Social media–especially Facebook–is definitely a wonderful way to share our faith. One of our younger cousins posts Bible verses each day. I’ve been posting my daily Bible reading to my blog, which feeds into my author’s page. Maybe someone will be curious enough to look up what I am reading.
Cheryl, I like these ideas. And the nice thing about social media is that if someone doesn’t want to read what you post they don’t have to. But you never know when something you say will speak to someone. It’s one of the things I love most about social media.