I just spent a lovely 30 minutes or so on Facebook. I chatted with some friends about their day, I learned about the birth of a new baby to a wonderful couple in our congregation and could share my congratulations, I learned of a friend who’s husband lost his job and promised her I would pray (and then I did).
I shared a couple of great articles that were on my radar, a John F. Kennedy quote about moving past your fears and being OK with failure, and left a couple of hilarious (to me, anyway;) one-liners on some friends pics and posts. Yesterday, I posted a cooking emergency and had no fewer than a dozen people rush to my rescue. And more times than I can count I’ve been encouraged and inspired and motivated by my friends there who are for me, even at 2am when I can’t sleep and need someone to say “I’m up too. Stinks, doesn’t it?”
It’s fun. It’s community. And it’s an important part of my life and my ministry.
It gets maligned alot. It’s a time waster. It makes you feel bad about yourself. It’s the devil and will take this country faster down the road to destruction (well, maybe not that far but close).
And sometimes it’s used as a bully pulpit – haters will hate and there can be screaming debates and hyperbolic generalizations and some down right offensive behavior.
And I 100% agree with those that say it can be the enemy of real life relationships. Much like any superficial relationships, if we leave them there, they aren’t likely to change us or encourage us or bring us closer to Christ.
But it’s a start. Much like a local coffee shop or a water cooler at work or the mailbox at your apartments, it’s the first point of connection that can lead to something much deeper.
As a pastor, it’s been remarkable how it’s helped me know what’s going on in the life of our church. In just the past month, I’ve had no fewer than a dozen FB conversations (through private messages) about everything from how do I know if my child is suicidal, to can you recommend a counselor for my marriage, to whom do I contact at the church to plan my father’s funeral.
I’ve prayed “over FB” more times than I can count. I’ve received a small notification of a message that has said just these words. “Please pray now. I’m not sure how much longer I can keep this up.” I’ve also picked up my cell phone and immediately called the friends who do that horrible thing and check themselves in at the emergency room with no further comment other than something like “it’s going to be a long night.”
We live very fragmented, busy lives, you and I. We don’t gather like we used to. Even at church, we rush in and we rush out and there’s very little time to catch up. And even less time to really bear one another’s burdens. But I believe, like anything, God means us to use social media as a tool for good. For real connection. To look at those in our lives and post things that communicate “I see you”, “I’m here”, “you’re not alone”.
Up next “how Twitter will usher in the second coming of Christ.” Just kidding.
Happy running.
Jen
Great post, Jen.
Facebook is a great tool for our generation because we really were the first generation to spread out and move away from home. I like that it has helped to reconnect me to a hometown to which I am unlikely to return for any extended period of time.
It can also serve as a positive environment where on can meet and connect with people with similar interests (i.e. running at Disney), and those people can lift each other up; provide advice, feedback, and prayers; and virtually “be there” for each other.
Unfortunately, as you mention, it also provides a platform for hate and negativity; and it is that facet, that dark side of Facebook from which I have chosen to remove myself. I decided – funny enough, when I started running again last Summer – to remove negativity and do my best to live by the “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything” philosophy…so I do. In addition, I’ve had to “Unfriend” a few Facebook friends because I just don’t have time for negativity. There’s certainly enough real pain in the world, and hyperbolic Facebook posts serve no purpose in my book.
Anyway…I’ll jump off my soapbox now…thanks for the thought-provoking post.
Pete – you bring up some great points. It’s why I have become a master of the “unfollow all” button for anyone who tends toward hateful or degrading posts. As a result, my wall has become a pretty happy, positive place. But it takes a lot of weeding to keep the garden flourishing, doesn’t it?? Good stuff!