#BeWorthFollowing Sýnishorn

#BeMissional

If there’s one thing we can learn from browsing social media, it’s that people all over the world are hurting. Take these headlines, for example:

• Child Falls into Gorilla Cage
• Deadly Alligator Attack at Disney
• Deadliest Mass Shooting in American History

Even now, writing these headlines causes my heart to sink. So much hurt, so much pain, so many questions and so many opinions. 

After each incident, our social-media feeds were filled with story after story and comment after comment. As I scrolled through my platforms, what I saw were posts and comments filled with hate, pride, shame, blame and pointing of fingers. Comments and questions like:

• Where were the parents? That would NEVER happen on my timetable!
• The parents should be charged! 
• Lack of supervision!
• That would NEVER happen to me! 
• This is what happens when you don’t watch your kids!

Added to all that, our country’s recent and ongoing political turmoil has made a churning kettle out of social media, threatening to boil over from the constant commentary. Never-ending posts and comments filled with hate, pride, shame, blame and pointing of fingers are downright depressing. 

As believers we’ve got to ask ourselves what we can do to keep offering the all-powerful, eternal hope of Jesus that is the real answer this world needs. We need reminders of that hope ourselves if we’re to survive (even thrive during) the time we spend on social-media platforms.

As Christians, we have been called to #BeDifferent. We have the Holy Spirit’s healing to offer our hurting world. Many don’t even know he is who they need first, more than any other solution. We should #BeWorthFollowing by offering healing words and Christ’s truth and love (they do work simultaneously!). There should be something different about the way we react and respond online to tragedies, events, challenges and obstacles. Ultimately our goal for being online should be to #BeMissional, to share the hope and freedom that can be found in Jesus Christ alone. And in today’s day and age, we have a great opportunity to do just that. 

Never has there been a time in our history when we have the opportunity to connect with people all over the world, instantly. And as online influencers we have a great opportunity to bring to life the words of the Great Commission that Jesus speaks to us in Matthew 28:19-20. 

Before we can #BeMissional on social media, we have to realize that we have been commissioned by Jesus to go out and train everyone we meet, whether they are far or near. And this includes using our social-media influence and presence for good. Our profiles can’t be all about us; they have to be bigger than who we are. As Christian women, our ultimate goal should be to lead others to a lasting relationship with Christ. Our voice should not be the loudest on #SocialMedia, but rather the voice of Jesus. And we can do that by sharing the ways and heart of Christ on social media. When we do, we are living out the Great Commission that we have been given.