#iamachristianbecausemyinstagramsaysso

Colbi Mouser

Instagram. Twitter. Facebook. These three come to mind when I think of social media. Whether it’s updating your followers with every detail of your life, or just being on it out of habit, I can say I have seen social media take over young peoples’ lives. I have seen it destroy relationships, take away from family time, and distort people and their appearances. (And I’m not just talking filters here, don’t even get me started on that one.) Don’t get me wrong, I think social media can be a great tool to reach others and share Christ. However, it seems that somewhere down the road we have confused sharing Christ with boasting about ourselves. Whether it’s a creative picture to show everyone we are reading the Bible that morning, or a #selfiesunday picture after church, it seems as if social media is a way for us to make sure we paint a perfect picture of ourselves so that everyone knows we are a Christian. People should know I am a follower of Jesus by my lifestyle and actions, NOT by what I post.

Here’s the thing. Social media is not bad. I repeat- social media IS NOT bad. But this is what I have seen the most- people create their life to appear a certain way on social media, yet that is not what their life is like at all. They are so concerned and wrapped up in what others think of them that they are constantly posting something to make them appear a certain way. What is almost comical about this is that God is not impressed with our Instagram pic or the scripture we just retweeted. No matter what we post, we can’t fool God. He knows our intentions and our hearts. Why does it matter if all of your followers think you are solid in your faith if God knows you are more distant than ever? Why does it matter if you post a picture of your Bible, if you’re not allowing God to use it to change your heart? None of it matters if you are not where you need to be with God. When you pursue after him and allow him to change your heart, others will see that.

1 Samuel 16: 1-13

While Samuel is trying to select which son is God’s chosen one, God reminds him to “not look at his appearance..” because “man does not see what the Lord sees.” God knew David’s heart. Isn’t that awesome? David didn’t have to make others see his relationship with God; God showed others his relationship with David. In the same way, on a personal level, I want others to see Christ in me because he truly IS in me. Not because it says so in my bio, or because of something I post; but because every single day my words, actions, and lifestyle reflect the One who I pursue and worship when no one is watching.