Although I do LOVE God, I am grateful that I didn't have to click a "Like" button to follow His newsfeed or @mention Him on Twitter to get Him to recognize me.
A few months ago I had all but written off social media. I was fed up with Facebook, and not willing to figure out Twitter or Google + or anything else. I felt like it was meaningless, time-consuming, and honestly, irritating. I didn't want to update my status when I was doing laundry, watching paint dry or going to the grocery store. The only time I wanted to post anything was when I felt I had some great contribution to society (which was rare.)
And then it happened. I decided to start blogging....again. I had started a couple of years ago, and my sanguine personality started with a bang and ended with a fizzle. So, here I go again. If anything, this blog could serve as a journal for what God was doing in my life. One of my first few posts was How God Used the Food Network to Speak To Me . I had such a great time writing it, and then found out that others enjoyed reading it. Really? I was asked to guest post for a popular Christian speaker and author Sheila Gregoire . This was crazy. My She Speaks Conference friends encouraged me to create a Facebook page and join Twitter to have links to my blog. Whaaaaa? When I had a publisher show interest in my book idea, her next question was, "Do you have a platform?" Platform meaning how many social media followers or readers do I have. My answer of "60 or so" did not seem to impress. (Ha!) So, I officially joined the social media craze. Not because I really wanted to, but simply because I felt it was a necessary evil.
My distaste for the internet and social media stemmed from the idea that I felt the enemy had gained ground because of these things. Consuming our time. Focusing our minds on "un"lovely things. Distracting us from our priorities, especially God. However, when I began to dig deeper and I read more blogs, joined Twitter, and followed others' Facebook pages, I realized something.
"(The enemy) meant to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20
Now I know that the enemy is still using the Internet to gain strongholds in peoples' lives, but God is using it to accomplish His good! Christians are utilizing the Internet and social media to encourage, equip, empower, and evangelize. What a method for His message! The first time someone commented on my blog and asked for prayer, I was thrilled. What a way to minister! So my sour reaction to social media has now turned into a enjoyable challenge to determine how I will share God's love and story through the keyboard each day. I have titled my blog, Unwrapping the Gifts of God in hopes of helping readers understand that we can see the gifts of His presence, purpose, and power in everything if we are willing to unwrap those gifts. I want to pray with and for readers, get to know them, encourage them in their walk, and help them see God. I am just a messenger for the King.
So, I am thankful that I don't have to click a "Like" button to follow God's Word or @mention Him to get him to notice me on Twitter. I am so grateful that my God "hears when I call to Him." Psalm 4:3. I love it that He knows what I am going to say, even before I say it. And I enjoy the gift of His presence...at all times. And that's what I want to share with you through this avenue of social media. So that if you choose to tweet, Facebook, read blogs, that is great. But when you turn off the computer, I want you to know that God loves you very much and He is always there for you. A "Like" button is not required.
Please allow me to minister to you today. Comment below so that I can pray for you. Or if you want to comment about social media, feel free.
Thank you for the gift of your readership. I do not take it for granted.
Kelli
5 comments:
I'm glad He is always there, too! Even when my network is down. God's network of communication with me is NEVER at risk of crashing.
Hey, as a fellow sanguine, how do we overcome the whole fired up about a project followed by burn out thing?
Hey, Sonya! We sanguines either have to have some choleric in us to keep us driving toward our goal, or we need to have a Choleric spouse or friend who will hold us accountable! I actually am blessed with both!
I love your creative insight, Kelli. And I was thinking...God has a platform too, and He's using you to communicate His message of love to so many. Be encouraged & keep it up!
Thanks, Brent. His platform includes you, too! Really enjoying reading your blog posts. Very challenging!
Such good truths...I actually posted today on the trap of putting our focus on how many followers we have or how many people 'like" us....so silly and trivial when you think about it. Our blogs and other social media can become great evils hindering our spiritual walk and development or can be used as great tools for building the kingdom of God in our own lives and the lives of those who find their way to our pages. Thank you for another reminder to keep a watchful eye...blessings :)
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