November 9, 2022
There have been reports lately on the trend to “de-socialize” in terms of opting out of social media. The pressure to produce posts, tweets, and pics is getting too much for many, to say nothing of the compulsion to conform to social expectations. Social correctness has become the high maintenance twin of political correctness. One tires of appearing to be successful, happy, and healthy.
The Bible says that we tend to “look on the outward appearance” whereas God “looks on the heart”. We know intuitively that this is true. Social media is all about appearances, and as we “gild the lily” in terms of presenting our success side we are aware that we’re covering up our darker side. We pretend to be secure and self confident even while we too easily fall under the sway of “influencers” who sell us fantasies and untruths, further cementing our self doubt.
The radical, transforming truth of the Gospel is that regardless of our self esteem or lack thereof we are unequivocally loved by our Maker. There’s no need for social affirmation. We are loved.
