Social media can be both fun but also so dejecting at times. As I continue a very intentional journey to become closer to God, I find myself called to remove any obstructions that can hinder my time with God. And the one sitting heavy in my heart is social media. Social media is not necessarily bad, but I do think that how we interact with it, says a lot about our commitment to what is truly important in our lives.
People use social media in various ways and I respect a person’s choice, but for me social media is a big distraction. I am a visual person and Instagram is my preferred platform. I can literally spend hours looking at photos or Instagram stories because they are fun and offer, in many ways, escapism from life. Others like Twitter and Facebook can be pretty toxic, especially if I get involved in a discussion that I am passionate about. To be honest, those two bring out the worst in me. And it is not something I am proud about.
I have been praying about my closeness with God, and the topics of social media kept coming to my mind. Do something about it— that is the feeling I had. Then a few days ago I came across a book that caught my attention. It is titled The 40-Day Social Media Fast: Exchange Your Online Distraction for Real-Life Devotion by Wendy Speake. The book description is as follow:
“This "screen sabbatical" is designed to help you become fully conscious of your dependence on social media so you can purposefully unplug from screens and plug into real life with the help of a very real God. Take a break from everyone and everything you follow online. Disconnect in order to reconnect with the only One who said "follow me."
I read this description and was sold. It has been interesting because on social media, even when I am posting about God, I always wonder if I am doing— deep down— for the likes, even though I am posting it to share the message. It is something that has always bugged me, and one of the areas I am praying for clarity.
Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash
I plan on sharing here a post at the end of each week and share some reflections. I truly believe that maybe it can help others. And LET ME TELL YOU…. Wow— if the first three days are an indication, this is going to be a very eye-opening journey. Can I share a few reflections from these three days?
I never realized how attached I am to my phone. In the first hour after I started, I must have reached out for my for at least 20 times to check my Instagram. Of course, I deleted the app so there is nothing to see. But it was a glaring sign that I need this sabbatical from social media.
Without social media to check, I am becoming more focused00 from my morning devotionals to reading the Word because something in me is wanting to read it. Before the fasting, many times it felt like another chore. I have to tell you that the past two days I have felt “OPEN” to the messages I am getting when I read the Bible and more in tune with how every word is impacting me. And I have to clarify that this need to be in the Word is not boredom because I don’t have anything else to do. I do have lots to do, but without the social distraction, I am feeling more centered. I hope all this makes sense, y’all.
As words have impacted me, I have a need to learn more. What I mean is that it is not just reading the Word that I want, I truly want to understand it. My favorite thing has been finding the same references to various topics in different books of the Bible.
This one really convicted me, and made me realize how much my husband and I avoid in our marriage because we are always connected to our phones. On Saturday, my husband and I did went to lunch before doing some little Christmas shopping. We ordered and talked for a bit, and then we reached for our phones. Of course, because I don’t have the apps and I am doing the social media fasting, I put my phone down and just sat there… while my husband read from his phone. I just looked around the restaurant, and it was about 5 minutes before he looked up, and asked me if everything was ok.
Now, y’all— I have to clarify that we have a lovely marriage and we are each other’s best friends, but it is clear we are disconnected. After that awkward moment, he put his phone down, and the rest of the lunch was wonderful. A few times we each reached for our phone, but then smiled and put it down. So yeas, this was eye-opening for sure.
I am really looking forward to what this journey brings. Above all, I hope that it brings me closer to God in a way that does not feel lukewarm. I want to be all in, and I can already tell that the distractions from social media are a big aspect of this. More to come. Have a great week!
Linkups I Typically Join Throughout The Week—
Mondays Inspire Me Monday, Hearth & Soul, In a Vase on Monday, Mosaic Monday
Tuesdays Insta Encouragements, Tell His Story, Anchored Truth Tuesdays
Wednesdays Worth Beyond Rubies, Welcome Heart, Wonderful Wednesday Soaring with Him, Wonderful Wednesday Blog-Hop, Creative Craft Link Party
Thursdays Imparting Grace, Heart Encouragement, Be Thee Inspired, Full Plate Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things
Fridays Friendship Friday Grace & Truth, Farmhouse Friday, Floral Friday Fotos, Community - Five Minute Friday
Saturday & Sunday Amanda’s Books & More, Pink Saturday, Saturdays Sparks Link Party, Happiness Is Homemade