I have a love/hate relationship with social media. There are days where I love it. I enjoy having that instant connection with family, friends and those whom I have “met” through social media. I enjoy keeping up with the things going on in the lives of people I know and care about. But then there’s the hate part. I’ll log into Facebook and see numerous editorials and articles, some going this way on a topic and some going that way. The comments are laden with negativity, name calling, disrespect and hate. I leave feeling like I have just wasted a bunch of time… and I did.
We live in an instant world. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other sites have allowed us to instantly connect with people, sometimes people we don’t know. But sometimes people become pictures with no feelings. There is no tone to the words and suddenly a mole hill becomes a mountain. Disagreements follow and name calling ensues.
Yes, I have a love/hate relationship with social media.
Reforming Social Media
When I heard that fellow blogging friend, Mandy Hoffman, had an eBook releasing today called ‘#ReformingSocialMedia‘, my curiosity was piqued. My first thought was how can we reform social media without giving it up altogether? Mandy makes it very clear that her intention in writing #ReformingSocialMedia is not to influence the reader one way or another about keeping or giving up social media, but in how we use it.
[Tweet “Glorifying God means we care more about God’s reputation than our own… #ReformingSocialMedia “]
Mandy first covers the different type of SM users, from the “phobic” to the “traditionalist”, the “busybody” to the “spy” and several in between. She then goes on to address the many benefits of social media, but she also takes a very candid look at the disadvantages of social media. Are we on social media for self? To promote our self? Or maybe even to fill a void? Are we using self-discipline in what we’re sharing or just sharing everything with everyone? Are we wasting time and neglecting responsibilities like family, home or even our spiritual life?
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
I appreciate Mandy’s perspective from the spiritual standpoint. She is gently reminding us that as Christians, whatever we do, we’re to do all for the glory of God, which would include our social media use.
While social media is not sinful, sin abounds in social media. However, wherever there is sin, there is also the opportunity for God to display His redemptive power. – Mandy Hoffman, #ReformingSocialMedia
I have found myself thinking twice about what I say on social media. I have started asking myself why am I sharing it, who am I sharing it with and is it beneficial to those reading it?
Let’s move away from the hate, the condescension and the negativity we have been consumed with on social media and lets move forward… by reforming social media. Christians, let’s lead by example.
Order it:
You can order a copy of #ReformingSocialMedia by Mandy Hoffman by going to Amazon.
Disclaimer: This review was not sponsored. I purchased a copy of #ReformingSocialMedia because I wanted to read it. 🙂
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