For eight years my immersion in social media has been blessed by relationships made, encouragement shared and received, as well knowledge gained.
I am grateful for every conversation, tear, grin and giggle I have shared with others.
However, there is a constant “tyranny of the urgent” that comes with social media immersion that has become a heavy burden. Dogged engagement in daily on-line conversation can be its greatest reward, but for me, is its greatest drawback.
Social media can require more of me than I am willing to give.
Enter 2014.
Each December my husband leads the members of the Eyster family to spend time listing the blessings of the year and anticipating the opportunities for growth in the coming year. We then thoughtfully, prayerfully determine how we can each intentionally seek to embrace God’s plans for our future.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13
God is whispering that 2014 is a year of “simplicity” for me and part of the obedience of exploring simplicity…will be to disconnect from social media and concentrate on family and a time of intentional growth spurred on by committed time with the Lord.
His voice is my priority for 2014.
Big, big hugs!!!
(Leading the ministry of MomLifeToday.com is a humbling privilege and a calling God has placed on my life that fills me with joy. I will continue to lead MomLife Today and be a part of MomLife Boot Camp but my “on-line” time fulfilling these roles is being curtailed as well.)
I love your example Tracey and am sure God will bless and redeem the time for you and your family. Oh, that He would help us DAILY to give Him our time and let Him steer every moment!
{Melinda} In ministry and as an author, I so get this. There is a pressure to connect, minister, network … and it can become so stressful and unhealthy. I’m trying to follow God’s lead on this as well. I know that He always blesses our obedience.