Social media is amazing. I love a good meme and I laugh out loud at the #fallingfriday posts from the ballet community. Seeing people’s DIYs is inspiring. Watching others grow in their faith + step into their callings spurs me on in my own. It’s cool to keep up with friends in a different part of the globe, celebrate engagements, career milestones, and new babies, and learn about other cultures.
For most of 2020, we’ve been glued to our devices. They’ve been our link to the outside world, how we receive important updates, our modes of productivity, and an outlet for fellowship.
Yet, there’s a heaviness to it all. We’re fatigued. I think we all feel it. And rightfully so. Important conversations are being had. Injustices are being brought to light. We are fighting an invisible enemy in the coronavirus. Fear abounds.
We are bombarded with information through the devices we hold in our hands. It’s a huge responsibility in how we handle it all both privately and publicly. We all have a minute slice of internet real estate through our social media channels. The question is: how are we going to steward it?
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth but only such a word that is good for edification according to the need of the moment so that it will give grace to those who hear.” ~Ephesians 4:29
A few things to consider:
How am I going to steward it outwardly?
- Is this true? What does that say about my credibility and integrity?
- Am I spreading words that are taken out of context?
- If I were the person these words were written about, how would I feel?
- If I were the person receiving these words, how would I feel?
- Would I actually say these words out loud and face to face?
- Is it better to have this conversation in real time (on the phone or face to face)?
Remember that on the other side of the screen is a real human being. One created in the image of God with intrinsic worth and value and irrevocable dignity.
How am I going to steward it inwardly?
- What are my motives for posting this?
- Is it healthy for me to be engaging with this content?
- Is this the highest and best use of my time?
- By sharing this post, am I participating in gossip?
- Does my online presence match my real life?
- Is this information helpful, uplifting, encouraging, and/or necessary?
Just some thoughts that have been swirling around over the last few weeks. And this isn’t meant to make rules — the last thing I want to be is legalistic. Just remember that you have influence 🙂
May we seek to “be like-minded, sympathetic, loving one another, compassionate and humble. Let us not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, let us repay evil with blessing…” ( ~1 Peter 3:8,9)
Rebekah Diaddigo 