What do You Post on Facebook?

If you are a thinker, read on. Especially if you are a Christian, this is for you. This came from a discussion that points out the conciseness of Twitter and the shorter attention span people in general now have. My thesis is this:

We have knowledge, but no application. People read in order to gain information, not to induce self transformation. There is something very wrong with that mentality.

Our whole society is encouraging filling of the mind and no softening of the heart. We see an encouraging verse and "like" it. But are our hearts convicted by it (1 Cor 14:24)? Are we actively trying to apply it (Prov 23:12)? Do we obey what it says (Luke 11:27-28)? Do we even remember it 5 mins later (James 1:24)? Does it pierce your soul and cut into your heart (Heb 4:12)? Or is it just another insignificant drop in the pool we call social media?

Information, especially visual information, is now a drug, and Twitter/Facebook sells it for free. Take away this drug and people go into withdrawal. Just try to see how long you can last without internet. If history is any indication, your kids will be much, much worse than you. This drug is potent and people are thinking of ways to give us more while requiring less.

We spend way too much time going through our phones and not enough time through our Bibles. Our heads are looking down more than they are looking up. We are too busy going places and don't have time to remain on our knees, silent and still at the feet of Jesus (Luke 10:39-40).

Do you think this is okay? We are unable to differentiate between truth or fiction, unable to research what scholars have established for centuries, and we swoon over easily disputable facts. We need professional apologists to defend plain doctrines because we supposedly do not have the time or ability to look it up ourselves. This is not rocket science, it's really not that complicated. I'm not promoting intellectualism, I'm pleading for less laziness and complacency.

We are so fixated at fitting everything in 140 characters that we cannot do anything extraordinary, only many instances of the ordinary. We put more value in small nuggets of wisdom and discard mountains of pure gold because "it takes too long to read". God did extraordinary things through Paul (Acts 19:11) and He wants to do the same through you too! But you must strive to live as Paul did, wholly for God.

I may be ranting now, but I am also calling for change. As a computer programmer, I do admire the technology behind social media. I do appreciate being able to post "ordinary" updates. It's a very useful thing I use to keep my family and friends closer than ever. And I encourage everyone to keep doing that. But this cannot be all we do. Strive to do more than this. Strive to change lives, save souls, and glorify God. Are you content to let this massive platform be wasted? Did God save you just so you can do nothing with your life? Impact no one? Live safely and die in your sleep?

As a Christian, if you find yourself thinking and acting like the majority, it's time to stop and reflect. You're not supposed to be like everyone else. You're not even supposed to be liked by most people (Psa 79:4). You are God's child, called for a special purpose (Eph 4:1). Be who you really are.