We've all seen them. Most of us have been participants in them. But what is it about "selfies" that grabs us and won't let go? Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing "selfies", but rather, doing some soul searching that will hopefully help and encourage us all.
This whole thought may reach beyond "selfies" - it may reach as far as our latest "tweet" or our most recent Facebook status. The question I'm asking myself is, "What are we all trying to grasp, each time we grab our iPhone to snap a pic, or to post the latest event in our lives?"
I think I'm getting close to at least part of it. I'm sure it is a much more complex and intricate answer, with many more aspects to be examined, than what I am discovering, but I want to share my findings with you.
I've observed all ages of people, including myself, going through the "posting of a selfie" process. The picture has to be perfect. If not, a retake is in order. As many retakes as are necessary will be taken.
"Ahhh", we say..... "it's perfect!".
So, we post it and then wait. And check. And re-check. And re-check. Our mood will be determined by whatever we see each time we check.
" I have 53 "likes"!!!!"
"No one has "liked" it. :( "
"I can't believe he/she "liked" my selfie and even commented on how good I look!!!"
There is a great fascination in this whole process.
I sometimes find myself checking "likes" and "comments", just to make me feel better about who I am. Days, even weeks, can go by with no "likes" or "comments".... and sadness descends upon me. I feel unloved. I feel unwanted. I feel like I don't matter. I feel like things I share must sound stupid to others. My self worth plummets. It's so easy to be swallowed up in the hole of self-pity and doubt. We often think the cure is to...... post another one or update our status. Throw that line out there and see if any fish are biting!
There is one problem with that type of thinking, though. We are being deceived.
There is One who could care less how beautiful our latest hairstyle is, or where we went on our vacation, or our newest outfit or shopping experience, or how exquisite our next meal is going to look and taste. Don't get me wrong, He cares - but He cares MUCH more about you and about me, than He cares about all the little frills of this life.
Psalm 139 speaks directly to just how much our Creator knows about each one of us and how He wants to give us His very best. He cares about the tiniest details of our lives, of our brokenness, of our joys, of our losses, of our failures, and of our celebrations. He knows about and cares about each little part of each one of us.
"O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me.
Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thought from afar.
Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, Thou dost know it all.
Thou hast enclosed me behind and before, and laid Thy hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it."
The next time Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter leave you empty and longing for reassurance that someone loves you and cares about you, put down the technology and pick up His Word - The Holy Bible - and see what the One who knit you together thinks about you. It will change the way you see yourself!
The challenge is on!
This whole thought may reach beyond "selfies" - it may reach as far as our latest "tweet" or our most recent Facebook status. The question I'm asking myself is, "What are we all trying to grasp, each time we grab our iPhone to snap a pic, or to post the latest event in our lives?"
I think I'm getting close to at least part of it. I'm sure it is a much more complex and intricate answer, with many more aspects to be examined, than what I am discovering, but I want to share my findings with you.
I've observed all ages of people, including myself, going through the "posting of a selfie" process. The picture has to be perfect. If not, a retake is in order. As many retakes as are necessary will be taken.
"Ahhh", we say..... "it's perfect!".
So, we post it and then wait. And check. And re-check. And re-check. Our mood will be determined by whatever we see each time we check.
" I have 53 "likes"!!!!"
"No one has "liked" it. :( "
"I can't believe he/she "liked" my selfie and even commented on how good I look!!!"
There is a great fascination in this whole process.
I sometimes find myself checking "likes" and "comments", just to make me feel better about who I am. Days, even weeks, can go by with no "likes" or "comments".... and sadness descends upon me. I feel unloved. I feel unwanted. I feel like I don't matter. I feel like things I share must sound stupid to others. My self worth plummets. It's so easy to be swallowed up in the hole of self-pity and doubt. We often think the cure is to...... post another one or update our status. Throw that line out there and see if any fish are biting!
There is one problem with that type of thinking, though. We are being deceived.
There is One who could care less how beautiful our latest hairstyle is, or where we went on our vacation, or our newest outfit or shopping experience, or how exquisite our next meal is going to look and taste. Don't get me wrong, He cares - but He cares MUCH more about you and about me, than He cares about all the little frills of this life.
Psalm 139 speaks directly to just how much our Creator knows about each one of us and how He wants to give us His very best. He cares about the tiniest details of our lives, of our brokenness, of our joys, of our losses, of our failures, and of our celebrations. He knows about and cares about each little part of each one of us.
"O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me.
Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thought from afar.
Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down, and art intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, Thou dost know it all.
Thou hast enclosed me behind and before, and laid Thy hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it."
The next time Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter leave you empty and longing for reassurance that someone loves you and cares about you, put down the technology and pick up His Word - The Holy Bible - and see what the One who knit you together thinks about you. It will change the way you see yourself!
The challenge is on!
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