Social Media Thoughts

As Social Media director for our youth ministry, articles like these stand out to me. I love this blog anyway because the women who run it speak blunt truth to the teenage ladies of this world. But this particular topic has become an issue with quite a lot of girls lately (at least the ones I follow), so here's a good, short read:

http://www.liesyoungwomenbelieve.com/index.php?id=1915

I think that it not only applies to Instagram, but Twitter and Facebook as well. Instagram is mainly used by middle schoolers and filled with "selfies".  Selfies basically tell the world that you think you're the prettiest person ever and that you want some affirmation of that.  As ladies, we especially thrive off of what other people say about us - shown in how many "likes" we get on a single picture.  How vain do our posts then seem?  Can we please find self-esteem in Christ, the complete Creator of beauty, instead of imperfect people?
This not only happens with pictures, but on Twitter as well.  Apparently the new thing is to "subtweet."  This is basically complaining or gossiping about someone without mentioning who it is. It not only is annoying to one's followers, it's definitely not edifying to the Body of Christ.  Would you say that tweet to their face? If not, why post it? There are much better ways to handle frustration. Does it really need to be said, online or to a friend??

What a great thought to use social media to glorify Christ instead of ourselves.
How would our lives look if we applied this not only to Instagram and Twitter, but to every aspect of our lives??

So as we consider what we are putting on social media, let's remember to encourage one another, share the joy from our lives, and point to Jesus and not to vanity. I'm not saying to never post a "selfie" but to seriously think and pray about the motivation behind the post. And in any tweet or other picture, are your motives pure and will they encourage others or bring joy? These are things I need to think about myself. 

As Daughters of the King, stewards of all that God has given us, being made holy by the Lord, and examples of who Christ is, let's be mindful of what we are putting on social media, and what is coming out of our mouths and of our body language.