Social media has been around long enough that we’re becoming savvy about its pitfalls. On a virtual platform, there are very real dangers such as privacy threats, cons, and harassment. Studies confirm its addictive qualities and negative impact on mental health. And we can probably raise a hand to the doomscrolling, distraction, and envy-generating that happens in our own hearts.
Previously we were intrigued by social media, now we’re trying to find ways to keep ourselves off of it. Tools have been developed to limit its draw and use, such as apps to time you out or to turn your screen grayscale to diminish the magnetic appeal. Digital detoxes and off-grid retreats help us shake our heads and return to a truer reality.
I’m not against efforts to limit our social media use – I think that’s important and healthy. At the same time, I’ve always been a proponent of social media, despite its dark side and warnings against it. I see it as a powerful means to reach out, care, and connect with each other. The key, I believe, is to practice healthy rhythms of engaging with it and stepping away from it.
When we do engage, I’d like to suggest ways that we can actually use our newsfeed in service to our spiritual well-being. Social media gives us access to the lives of people like never before. I remember connecting with Ghanaian friends on Facebook after we lived there and began to see their life from a new perspective that I didn’t witness when we were face-to-face. I believe that wherever people gather, Christians should also be present, reaching out and sharing God’s love. And people are on social media.
As an urban missionary, the number one way our ministry reaches out to the young people we serve – or the way they find us – is through social media or a Google search. It means people are looking for support and people are findable. I don’t take this lightly. Online connections translate to real-life relationships.
In service of making those connections meaningful and not losing our souls in the process, here are five ways we can use social media as spiritual practice:
1. Intercessory Prayer
Desmond Tutu, the late South African Anglican Bishop and anti-apartheid advocate, once said that he read the newspaper as an intercessory list. The headlines showed him what he needed to be praying about. Our social media newsfeeds can work in the same way. What is brought to us as we scroll can be matters we bring to the Lord. We will see headlines and articles that are distressing as well as friends and acquaintances with needs on display. Some people overtly appeal for prayer and others will make you wonder what the story is behind the picture. All of this can be taken to the Lord who sees, knows and cares more than we have capacity to! We can also be in tune through those prayers to see when and how he might be asking us to take steps (rather than feeling pulled in many directions by guilt, fear or criticism that rises up in us) to reach out with compassion and promote justice in Jesus’ name.
2. Detachment from the things of this world, greater dependence on Jesus
This is a deeper spiritual practice, but the truth is that we will see things online that we wish we had. It could be luxury vehicles or peaceful cottage scenery or romantic relationships or buff bikini bodies. We may logically know that social media is a “highlight reel” and everything can have a sheen of perfection and beauty while behind the scenes is a different story. Even so, our hearts are drawn to have what others have. My personality is prone to envy at its worst, tempted to ignore the gifts God has given me. In response to that pull of the heart to things of this world is that, put simply, I’d rather have Jesus. It helps to apply such a declaration to the pictures I see when the green monster rears its head. Which leads me to my next point.
3. Empathy
There is a verse that says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). I learned this as a way to engage on social media from my dear friend, Lisa. We took a trip together and she was catching up on Facebook updates on our way home, waiting for our flight to board. I watched her interact with people’s content with delight. Oh, look! So and so had her baby. Oh no! So and so’s grandmother passed away. She became concerned with those who were distressed and I witnessed her laugh so hard at a funny situation my sister had posted. I thought it was about the most saintly behaviour I’d witnessed. What freedom – she entered into people’s experiences without judgment and I became inspired to practice the same myself.
4. Spiritual Conversation Starters
I honestly can’t think of a better place to initiate spiritual conversations than online. Granted, we’re not always good at these and we can come across as belligerent, aggressive or defensive. With grace, however, we can share in a way that welcomes engagement.
I think of Megan Phelps-Roper, a young family member of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church, known for their aggressive bigotry, who was won to a new way of thinking through respectful dialogue with a stranger on Twitter. Just imagine how we might impact others – or what we might learn – if we simply became curious or expressed our thoughts with a posture of invitation.
5. Encouragement
Nothing is easier than to encourage people via social media. How simple to like, even love, with a click of a button. How quick to leave a comment. If you looked at your newsfeed, there wouldn’t be someone you couldn’t encourage right now. What a great place to begin!
Let me leave you with this final note. I’ve found it helpful to apply a “filter” before posting or commenting – it’s a verse that can be applied (prayed about) before putting hands to keyboard: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).
Consider who you’re aiming to please with your posts and enjoy the practice of clicking content together with the Lord.
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