Social Suicide

Social Media isn’t bad.

*drops mic*

Here’s the thing though, Social Media has been around since like before most of us millennial really knew what we were doing with it; its been a lil minute. There has been so much hype about how unauthentic it is and how awful and horrible and fake, but guess what? Did you watch the movie Clueless, or Breakfast Club? There were cliques in those movies, yeah? There was bullying? There were people pretending to be something they’re not? THERE WASN’T SOCIAL MEDIA BACK THEN AND THERE WERE STILL AUTHENTICITY PROBLEMS.

Oh my gosh? WHAT!? Is this real life? Yep, it is.

Alright folks, if you are speaking out against social media on social media… you’re doing it wrong. If you really didn’t care or if it really didn’t matter then you would delete all your accounts and go off the grid, because apparently that’s the only way to be truly authentic… The funny thing is, now, essentially committing social suicide is a trend. Listen dude, who freaking cares about being trendy, just live your dang life.

Let me just say, that if being completely disconnected is the only way to be authentic, then I don’t want to be authentic.

This sounds really sassy, and kind of like a rant, well it slightly is… but I really just want to talk about the good side of social media. The thing is, there is good and bad to everything. A hamburger sure tastes real nice when its goin into your mouth, but then it gets to your belly and turns into fat. You can use what you have to do something good or to do something bad.

I think the reason this social media stuff is so huge is because the hurt so many people have undergone in that arena. While social media can cause things like discontentment, jealousy, envy and all that, it also gives us community. Community which was created to connect us to people who share in our same struggles and dreams, community that could change the world for the better if we would let ourselves.

That stuff that acts as blinders causing us to lose sight of the good it can do is probably because we’ve been finding our identity in the wrong place. Let me just cover this topic real quick: Jesus called you to be his sons and daughters through adoption via salvation; you have access to all that goodness he speaks about you. You are worthy. You are valued. You are a conqueror. You are redeemed. You are strong. You are faithful.

[Check out Ephesians 1:5]

Now that we’ve got that covered, lets talk about community. I seriously love social media for that fact. I met my best friend because of Instagram and like 900 other phenomenal people who would drop anything to help me, simply because of this “unauthentic” app. God has called us into community with him and with others, to show them his love and to grow in him.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Galatians 6:2 (ESV)

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV)

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Romans 12:9-21 (ESV)

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. …”

Look at that, about 9-million-and-1 scriptures about unity and community and loving peeps and all that jazz. So, that last verse says stay away from evil and cling to the goodness. Anything could be used for evil or for goodness. Like money, is money bad? Nope. If you let it consume you, it becomes a bad thing though. That brings us the authenticity side of things, are you unauthentic if you’re on social media? Heck no. You can be unauthentic anywhere you are. If you really don’t want to talk to someone and your throw on that Barbie smile and say “Omg, hey girl!” that’s unauthentic. Have you ever been shopping or to a restaurant? I guarantee you that the employee who helped you was probably using their customer service personality…

The question isn’t being authentic; it’s being vulnerable enough to be who you truly are no matter what platform, pixilated or physical. Because Jesus calls us to love, when he is living in us, we can’t help but be vulnerable with each other. Christ bleeds authenticity and genuineness.

My advice; place your identity in Christ, get over yourself, love people. FOCUS ON THE DANG POSITIVE SIDE OF THINGS. Ok, that’s enough of my rant post. I love all you guys and just know that whatever your opinion on this social media conundrum, don’t let it get in the way of just showing people that they matter simply because they exist.

XoXo,

Brunette Adventurer