When I read the following passage this morning, I immediately thought of social media:
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Social media exploits my opposite tendencies.
When I post, I always show my best self. I show off the exotic locale I’m visiting, or the good food I’m eating, or the fun things I’m doing.
Social media tugs at my pride like bad decisions tug at teenage boys.
And submission? When have you ever seen someone post in an ongoing argument, That’s a thoughtful and nuanced point, thank you for expressing that challenging opinion. No one, Christians included, submits on social media. I certainly do not.
I find social media fun for keeping up with friends and family. But I find social media distressing and harmful to my psyche when delving into issues of depth and concern. While I publish these blogs posts to social media, I don’t push for broader discussion on the medium. I’d rather do that over the phone or even better, over coffee.
Social media hands a megaphone to people who haven’t earned it.
My challenge is to approach this dilemma with a proper heart, knowing that even in this modern, internet age, God still opposes the proud and shows favor to the humble.
1 Peter 5 in week forty-two of reading the Bible cover to cover
Photo by Prateek Katyal
“social media gives a megaphone to people who haven’t earned it”… so true! Thanks for faithfully showing up here.
Thanks Robin!