At training camp in June leadership mentioned something about a six week social media fast to begin our race. My initial response was absolutely not. I could not imagine being off social media for a whole month in a half. Then launch came and my heart switched a flip. I felt convicted like I needed to participate.
Let me tell you, it was the best thing for me. I did not know what my friends were doing so homesickness could not be as severe. I was not always looking for the next place to get WIfi or planning pictures. This past Sunday my social media fast ended and I hesitated to get on. I had to ask myself if it would be helpful for me or would I go back to my old ways? Would I get the urge to go home and be in America? Would I go look at friends profiles that honestly would not be beneficial for my race? I signed in and looked at my notifications and posted an update. I was not as consumed as before. It is now Friday and I want to share some lessons from this fast.
I was addicted to Social Media and denied it
I was on social media all the time. When I woke up the first thing I would do was check social media. When I was on my lunch break I would be on social media. At night I would often check my social media and see what was posted and make sure people were liking my post. My family would say you are on that too much and I would become defensive. The last 6 weeks taught me that in fact I was on it way too much.
Scrolling is a time filler
Yup, you all know its true. When you are at home bored, you just start scrolling through Instagram pictures, watching stories on Snapchat and reading posts on Facebook. What I realized though is there is so much better ways to spend my time.
With people.
With Jesus.
Reading.
Exercising.
Enjoying the outdoors.
I can keep going if you need me to.
Social Media helps portray your false self
False self- The person who puts on a mask. They add layers to be MORE. More funny. More pretty. More perfect. They often perform so people see the best of them. Social Media makes it so much easier for me in addition to others to do this. Adding filters, planned pictures and a post of all the positive things happening in your life. Which is great but what about that messy, less perfect parts. Waking up with messy hair, that broken heart, the night you cried yourself to sleep because of rejection. Social Media can cause a facade if we are not careful.
Keeping up with others should be done over conversation not through a screen
There is so much truth to this. Because I was off social media, I had to reach out to people to find out how/what they were doing. I could not rely on following their social media. I had to plan FaceTime dates, message them or whatever other form to communicate in real conversation. It was refreshing and made me work harder for my relationships.
I am completely engaged without Social Media
Literally there was no reason to have my phone. You often see friends together but they are all on their phones checking messages and posts. Well when you are on a social media fast conversation happens and it is intentional. One example would be at a Crepery we often visited in Albania. We went for breakfast one morning and ended up sitting there for a lot longer then planned because we got to know each other. We got deep with one another. Not having a phone to turn to in awkward silences causes one to be fully present. It is beautiful.
Social Media should be used to speak truth and bring Kingdom. Nothing more. Nothing less.
I do not think I need to add much to this. Let social media glorify God. Do not try to make yourself famous. Make God famous.
I am still limiting myself on social media but will continue to post updates and blogs.
Here is a podcast I recently listened to. Check it out.
How Might Jesus Have Us Engage Social Media.
https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/news-media/podcast-2/
I am 5,570 dollars away from being fully funded. Please check out my blogs and message me with any questions. I would love for you to prayerfully consider donating to my World Race.
