On Tuesday, June 10th 2014, I watched a video by a popular YouTuber: Matthias (he’s pretty cool, you can check out his vids here). In the video, Matthias asked his faithful viewers to delete their Facebooks. The primary reason being Facebook’s steadily increasing infringements on personal privacy. It’s actually a bit frightening.
But, can I be honest for a second? I don’t really care. I don’t have anything to hide. I try my darnedest to live in a way that is transparent, without hiding or burying secrets. Not that I haven’t failed at that before. But commentary on government conspiracies to spy on us and the such don’t really get me all worked up. And by no means am I accusing Matthias of whipping up some conspiracy theory—he knows his stuff, he’s got facts to back it, and he has every right to warn people. I appreciate it. A lot. But not for the invasion of privacy reasons.
Watching that video about Facebook got me thinking. Like, really thinking about Facebook, my reasons for using it, and it’s affect on my life. Essentially I had a DTR (Define The Relationship) with Facebook. What I concluded wasn’t all that encouraging.
1. First of all, and I think most everyone can agree with me on this, Facebook is a time-consuming activity. Sometimes I can waste hours of my day simply browsing through my newsfeed, clicking random links that I don’t really care about and looking through someone’s photo album who I barely even know. Those little fifteen minute Facebook breaks add up real fast. Now, one solution to this is to Facebook fast every so often in an attempt to appear above the influences of modern technology (I tried it, doesn’t work). Another solution is to actually discipline yourself and force yourself to not use it that often (a good choice, but I tried it and it didn’t work for me). Final solution is to cut if off completely. Now, I normally would have just tried solution number two again if it weren’t for my second conclusion about my relationship with Facebook.
2. I was using Facebook in an effort to prove my life to others. I wasn’t using it to stay connected or see what other people were up to (although, only using it to see what other people are up to is another really bad reason. Just look up 1 Thessalonians 4:11). My primary motivation for using Facebook was to prove to my life. I craved recognition and acknowledgement. My Facebook posts and pictures were a shout of “Look at me! Look what I’m doing! Look at my life!” I was entirely self-centered.
Now, as I’m writing this, I suddenly was struck with this thought: “Aw crap. Isn’t that what I’m doing with a blog?” But that’s not quite the case. And I want you, reader, to hold me accountable to this. This blog’s purpose is to shout “Look at God! Look what He’s doing! Look at His life in me!”
3. My third and final conclusion was this: I don’t really need Facebook. Yeah, it’s a great tool to hold on to friendships–but how much are you holding on to a friendship if it only consists of the occasional “Hey, how’s it going?” message, the obligatory happy birthday post, and the inevitable like when you are in a relationship/engaged/married? God places people in my life for a reason, and they’re in my life for a certain length of time for a reason. That doesn’t mean that I won’t try to stay connected. But if it’s not working, it’s not working. God has other plans for both of us. We say our goodbyes, thank God for the time we did have, and move on.
I want to live in the now, interact with the people around me right now, invest in the lives that are surrounding me right now. God is the great orchestrator, He is ultimately in charge of all of my relationships. And especially in regards to my friendships with my fellow Christians–guys, we have all eternity. Who cares if we don’t see each other for fifty years?
Anyways. That’s why Facebook and I have ended the relationship. And honestly, I’m relieved. Every so often, I’ve been like, “Oh, I need to go check Facebook”, and then remembered I didn’t have one. Then instead, I’d go to something more productive with my time. Like be with my family. I have a great family.
So I guess I’ve concluded that whole shpeal. It’s a Sunday night. I think I’m going to try to do a post every Sunday night. Key word there is “try”. I’d like to be filling you in on the cool stuff God does in my life as regularly as I can.
I love you, but more importantly, God loves you. So much so that He sent His Son to die for you. That’s amazing love.
Adios.
Mountains Waiting 