"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" You've likely heard that philosophical thought. But in the past few weeks I've had another one.
"If an event occurs without being posted on Facebook, did it really happen?" I've been on a 40 day Facebook fast. In those days I've been to the museum, attended 4 field trips, watched my 8 year old in her first talent show, and rushed to the ER to be with my dad, as he experienced chest pains. I've celebrated my daughter's birthday, sat 8 hours in a hospital waiting room while my dad had surgery, taken on a 2nd client at work, and had lunch with friends. I stayed home 4 days with a sick child, planned a trip to Disney, experienced the only major snow event of the season, and will celebrate my own birthday (Mar 9), all while on a Facebook fast. Did those events occur without my posting and receiving commentary from my friends?
Yes, they did. The only thing different was the drama level. Yes, I did miss the collaboration on my bad days, but I'm sure my friends weren't sorry to miss my drama. And honestly, I didn't miss theirs. Because the people I would have shared those events with offline - I did. And the people who needed me, found me.
Facebook is a great place to find relationship when you need it. But often times that pseudo-relationship of Facebook keeps us from deepening our real relationships. And the wasted time interferes with our relationship with God. I once heard someone ask, "Do you run to the phone before you run to the Throne?" And I think now, we often run to Facebook with our dramas, before we come to God. How often do we ask for prayer on FB, before we've actually prayed ourselves?
Facebook can fill a lot of time, and even some "empty places." But Facebook doesn't fulfill. That same time spent with God fills those empty places with God-glue, versus Facebook fluff. God is a permanent filling, that keeps you coming back not because you need another fix, but because the relationship is so rewarding.
If you spend a lot of time on Facebook, I encourage you to try a fast. Some indicators that you need a fast are thinking in status updates or posting a photo of an event while you are still at the event (versus enjoying the event and posting the photo later). Live your life in real time, and worry about Facebook later. The drama you avoid may be your own. And the time you save may be spent with Jesus.
"If an event occurs without being posted on Facebook, did it really happen?" I've been on a 40 day Facebook fast. In those days I've been to the museum, attended 4 field trips, watched my 8 year old in her first talent show, and rushed to the ER to be with my dad, as he experienced chest pains. I've celebrated my daughter's birthday, sat 8 hours in a hospital waiting room while my dad had surgery, taken on a 2nd client at work, and had lunch with friends. I stayed home 4 days with a sick child, planned a trip to Disney, experienced the only major snow event of the season, and will celebrate my own birthday (Mar 9), all while on a Facebook fast. Did those events occur without my posting and receiving commentary from my friends?
Yes, they did. The only thing different was the drama level. Yes, I did miss the collaboration on my bad days, but I'm sure my friends weren't sorry to miss my drama. And honestly, I didn't miss theirs. Because the people I would have shared those events with offline - I did. And the people who needed me, found me.
Facebook is a great place to find relationship when you need it. But often times that pseudo-relationship of Facebook keeps us from deepening our real relationships. And the wasted time interferes with our relationship with God. I once heard someone ask, "Do you run to the phone before you run to the Throne?" And I think now, we often run to Facebook with our dramas, before we come to God. How often do we ask for prayer on FB, before we've actually prayed ourselves?
Facebook can fill a lot of time, and even some "empty places." But Facebook doesn't fulfill. That same time spent with God fills those empty places with God-glue, versus Facebook fluff. God is a permanent filling, that keeps you coming back not because you need another fix, but because the relationship is so rewarding.
If you spend a lot of time on Facebook, I encourage you to try a fast. Some indicators that you need a fast are thinking in status updates or posting a photo of an event while you are still at the event (versus enjoying the event and posting the photo later). Live your life in real time, and worry about Facebook later. The drama you avoid may be your own. And the time you save may be spent with Jesus.
So let your words be few. Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.... Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities.
Fear God instead. Ecclesiastes 5:2b, 3, 7 (NLT)
Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com
