Social Media Sucks

The humility right out of me.

When I use social media to encourage and connect it is grand.

When I use social media to juke and jive and work hard to “get noticed” and hustle to make people find me or “like” me it sucks the humility right out of me and reveals my sinfulness.

The pattern of this social media world is to see and be seen, have others hashtag you, quote you, friend you, follow you, notice you, tell others about you.

Clever of the enemy…don’t you think?

To cause those who battle with pride to become entangled in a medium that rewards those who can highlight themselves effectively.

“Harmlessly” buzzing about interacting and promoting on social media (as one must do) is sweet nectar to one’s self importance.

No big deal to some, potential stumbling block for many, er some – maybe few…but OK, for sure…me.

The cold hard truth…I wrestle with the sin of pride.  Early in life it revealed itself in the form of bashfulness and a desire not to be seen, then as a young professional with a successful career, I did an about face and I became prideful in all I could accomplish.

And now, after a couple of decades as a dedicated wife and mother I find myself right smack dab in the middle of a social media world that requires promotion for survival.

My heart’s desire is to reveal Christ to others – more of Him and less of me.

But pride’s strangling grip has tendrils wound in and through the world of social media and that realization leaves me consistently wary of where it could and does take me.  The poison of pride masks itself as harmless banter far too frequently.

I ministered to and with moms LONG before social media existed, I was drawn to social media because that is where moms are. I have attempted to share and love moms online because I am compelled to and because not doing so literally makes me hurt inside. There is this overwhelming compulsion to reach out to moms, hear their stories, share life and lessons learned, to point moms to God’s goodness and truth.  AND to point moms to others who God places in my path that I think they need to hear from.

Here’s the thing…there is this dark side to social media that is so completely narcissistic. The promotion requirement that is part of the social media world is the last and I do mean the LAST thing on the planet I should be a part of, but it whispers so loudly.

The consistent message that it is a “best practice” to work hard to further my “personal platform” makes me churn inside. Barf.  Double barf. And stomp my foot in defiance.

I used to be in marketing…I know marketing…I know what marketing takes…it is the antithesis of remaining humble.

PLEASE do not misunderstand me, I in NO WAY fault others who utilize social media to get themselves “out there” … it is just that for me … it shines a spotlight on my sinful tendencies.

Social media is kryptonite to this woman’s desire towards Embracing Obscurity.

It is wearying, it makes me feel icky, it makes me question my motives and frankly it makes me want to avoid social media altogether. But that seems to be counterproductive to reaching out to others.

We all wrestle with something.  I have heard it said that the human heart is an idol factory… for me social media feeds the conveyor belt at warp speed.

You are blessed if this is not a battle you wrestle with…but it is mine.

I wrote this post two weeks ago and it has been sitting in draft form…today during my quiet time and while in the midst of Priscilla Shirer’s Gideon study God asked something of me.

No more social media.

Gulp.

Did I hear that right?  Surely not.

I questioned, “For how long “no more social media” – like forever?”

I wrestled, I pondered in my heart.

I don’t know for how long…but I am going to be obedient.

I am going to trust and obey, for there’s no other way…

No more social media.

(FYI – I have made commitments to others to write blog posts for their blog sites, I will keep those commitments. I will continue my work at MomLife Today. I will continue to connect with readers through emails, but I won’t be on-line.)

UPDATE: Thank you for your encouraging comments and emails. Sometimes in order to be victorious over something you just have to be willing to name it, claim it and learn from it. Looks like there is a new “mom trap” in my life called the Social Media Diva Trap! Trust me friends I will remain on the look out for it and work to stay out of it! Just like all those other nasty mom traps – I must have the right attitude and the right source! Trusting, believing and grateful – Hugs to all, T !