Superficiality

   In our culture, pressures bombard us from every angle. We're pressured to take a picture looking a certain way, making a certain face, only showing the good, and the "perfect" parts of our lives. Why does this happen? The world is cursed. We are sinners. We mess up, fail, experience great sorrow, pain, and anger. Every day this happens over a billion times in the world. I'm not trying to be depressing. I'm not saying we should accept sin and move on. I'm saying that life is not perfect. And neither are the people on your Facebook and Instagram.

   We can try to make ourselves seem and look perfect. It's especially easy to do on social media. But God sees and knows our hearts. That's pretty convicting. Our facades are empty when compared to the awesome holiness of God. God isn't like man, concerned about the outside. He looks at your heart.

   In 1 Samuel 16:6-10, when God appointed Samuel to anoint the next king, the Lord told him that just because someone is good looking or great in stature (or seems like he has his life together) doesn't mean he is chosen by God. "When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.”"

    After researching and writing a speech on screen use last year, I've been more aware of the time spent on and motivation behind social media. Yesterday, in one of my classes, we were discussing idolatry and how it manifests itself today. One of the questions asked was, has idolatry/idols changed throughout history or has man simply found different mediums through which to express idolatry? I believe that we have idolized the same things over and over. Fame and glory, money and earthly goods, people, etc. One of the ways we idolize people and fame is through our technology. The more likes and followers there are, the more popular we perceive ourselves and others to be.

   Please don't misunderstand. I'm not saying we should go delete all our social media accounts. Beautiful pictures of yourself, are splendid. I love observing the gorgeous sunsets my friends capture, and I love seeing their stunning faces even more. But you know what my favorite pictures are? The ones captured when no one noticed and someone's making a goofy face and laughing their unique laugh because someone made a bad joke. I like real photos. I'm saying you shouldn't be afraid to share real moments, because the real moments best capture our true hearts. There's nothing wrong with being yourself and sharing what you may consider your less attractive moments. No one cares about a pimple on your chin. If they do, they're not worth having as a friend.

Just some thoughts that have been on my mind lately...