Social Media

Ephesians 5:15-16 – See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (NKJV)

People have always had a need to communicate with each other. Various ways of communicating have been used, such as smoke signals, carrier pigeons, post, pony express, telegraph, telephone, radio, and television. In the late twentieth century came the Internet, with the first email being sent in 1971. In 1994, the first social media site came into being. Social media are Internet-based applications that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated content. Social media have grown into being a staple of our everyday lives, with a thirty-seven percent annual increase in usage. They affect both our work lives and our home lives, and, for the most part, for the better. They connect people all over the world and bring families and friends together with the touch of a button.

However, the day has come that I have had to reflect upon how I spend my time. I know that the Lord has spoken to me about it, as I have noticed a decrease in my writings. Each day has just as much time in it as it did a month ago, yet I don't seem to have any time to write.

I began to be more aware of how often in a day that I was clicking on a link into the world of social media. By the time that I had read the postings and then re-posted, fifteen minutes could have gone by. I hardly ever go anywhere without my cellphone, so it was always right there at my fingertips. I decided to de-activate my account, and within a week, I had written a lot more and spent more time in the Word.

1 Timothy 4:16 – Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (NIV)

I am not saying that participating in social media is wrong, but what is a concern is what the Bible says about how we spend our time. Just about anything can distract us from the Lord, like television, shopping, games we play, magazines we read. Distraction sneaks in slowly over time, and we need to be on the alert to this and to the Lord's prompting in our lives.

1 Corinthians 7:35 – I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. (NLT)

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your Word that keeps us in focus on You and what You want for us. Help us to keep all things in perspective according to Your will. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.