Be.Loved. 25 Simple Acts of Love to Change a LifeSample

 DAY 7: Use social media for good

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32

A study of 20,000 Americans showed that 46% of those polled felt alone either sometimes or always, and 20% rarely or never felt close to people. Add to this the fact that the average adult now spends two hours a day on social media, looking at other people’s pictures and likes and shares, and you have a recipe for potential disaster. 

For all of its good, social media has a very dark side—it places people in a state of constant comparison and self-analysis. 

When God said, “It is not good for man to be alone,” it wasn’t simply the case for marriage. It’s a truth that transcends time and relationships. It’s not good for anyone to be alone. We are built for community.

For good or bad, people are finding more community online. And as the world has shrunk to the point where we receive real news in real time—with real commentary and criticism—we must find ways to cry out “Be loved!” to those on our social networks. The love of God must cover all—the bad news, the distractions, the comparisons, the outcry, and the outrage. 

Today, use social media for good. 

Choose five people in your social networks whom you know don’t get many likes or shares and post something on their walls. Share what you appreciate about them. Tell them how they are loved and valued. Invite them to a meal or a night out. 

Reflect on this experience and consider how you might continue to love on these people –and share the love of Jesus with them—in the days to come.