Are you sharing goats?
I had this train of thought a long time ago when I first jumped in to the pool of social media. I looked at the pool and decided that it didn't look deep enough to drown, so I jumped into the deep end. Little did I know, that I wasn't strong enough. I allowed myself to get consumed by the hundreds of "friend" requests, likes, shares, follows, and everything else that came with it. I was constantly checking in to see how many "likes" I received and who was following me today. Totally, completely, 100% self-involved. I had stepped away awhile back, but then slowly but surely eased my way back in. The second time around, I did the smart thing by easing into the shallow end. I thought I stayed pretty "safe" from the trappings of Facebook and Instagram, but as it always happens, something got in the way.
I remember the moment vividly. In fact, my wife can attest to this night. We were both relaxing, unwinding from our day. The kids were bedded down for the night, and I had grabbed my phone to scroll through my various feeds. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I happened upon this picture of a goat that read, "Share this goat for no reason". Short of throwing my phone across the room (because it's expensive and my wife would kill me), I set my phone down, and said, "I'm done. I can't do this anymore." Thousands upon thousands of people were taking time to share this goat. I was flabbergasted! Really?! Now let me back up a minute. I'm positive that there have been things I've posted or shared that would fit in to the "Are you kidding me?!" category. I'm the first to admit it and claim my guilt. But this did me in. This was my awakening.
So there are choices to make when you're at the fork in the road of making adjustments to your social media routine. You can simply walk away altogether and delete your accounts. You can unfriend or unfollow certain individuals/organizations that are not beneficial to your time online. There are multiple things you can do. The conviction of spending time scrolling through feeds versus spending time with family, or even getting in to God's Word should weigh heavy on us all.
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:1-2)
Do you feel the same conviction? Have you had the same thoughts as you scroll along? Allow me to share some thoughts with you. The social media world is not all bad. Like everything in this world, you have to know your limits. You have to be able to discern what is appropriate and what is not for yourself. We all need to take a very close look at what we're dedicating a lot of our time to. Those of us who claim Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, this is a good place to start. "But I post scripture and positive, uplifting quotes and pictures." Yes, these can be good, but is it replacing your personal, quality time in the Word with the Lord? Are you replacing your devotional time by gaining encouragement from social media? It may be worth your time to ask some of the following questions related to social media use:
How am I using this technology to further the kingdom of God?
Am I drawing closer to the Lord through these means of communication?
Are those who I am reaching going to be encouraged/uplifted by my use of this technology?
You can probably think of other, deeper questions about the use of social media, but this is where I started. Maybe it's time you do the same. Don't allow the enemy to distract you from Who you should be striving for! Don't think for a moment that Satan can't use social media to draw you away, or keep you stagnant in your relationship with the Lord. If you don't think that's possible, then by all means, keep sharing goats. However, as a follower of Jesus, you have an awesome opportunity and a larger sphere of influence to share about the Lamb of God. Amen?!
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17)
