Lately, I have been reading blogs, watching people on twitter, and surfing websites all to try and navigate this giant ocean called social media. Talk about a tiny fish in a great big ocean! I feel like I’m the common household goldfish that someone just dumped into the sea! Totally out of my element, destined to be someone’s dinner, and completely unseen and unknown.
Social media is a world where twitter followers, Facebook likes, backlinks, and algorithms determine if you are being seen, known, and trustworthy! A world where a tiny app on a blog determines your sphere of influence! Master this world and your sphere can go from 10 to 10,000 in a matter of no time.
With every article I read, each person I observed, and site I visited there grew an ugly feeling of being more and more invisible, and this sudden pressure to be seen, heard, and known.
It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the illusion that being seen is represented in the number of followers, comments left on blogs, and how many people click like on a Facebook page.
However, when I stopped to take a breath, and stopped listening to all the other noises coming at me, I remembered what Hagar said in Gen. 16:13
... She said, “You are the God who sees me.”
It’s so easy to forget who really sees us, who really knows us, and who really brings value to our lives. The world can easily make us feel invisible and insignificant, but when we readjust our focus, and set our eyes upon the One the Bible says knowns every intimate part us (Psalm 139). Then that feeling of being insignificant or invisible doesn’t have as strong of a pull. The social networking world may not see me, but the One who sees ALL does – and that is more than enough!
Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:3-6
Spot on, Beth. We totally get in trouble of one sort or another when we let people’s attention determine our value, whether their response is negative OR affirmative. You’re doing what God called you to do. Keep swimming!
Thanks Linda! One step at a time!
Just what I needed to hear! I don’t know how many times I check my site stats or check to see if I have more likes. What I really need to do is just take each step the Lord sets before me, and do my work for His approval and not others. Thanks Beth!
Thanks Jasmine… there is definitely a balance that needs to take place. I loved some of your posts!