Why I Quit Social Media

I think it is absolutely amazing that I am even sitting down to write this post. A few weeks ago I would have never dreamed of composing a blog article with such a controversial, so-not-the-norm title and topic; so all I can say, is that it is a testimony to how the Lord has been working in my heart. What do I mean? Well, let me explain...

Last April I started my first Instagram account. Several months before that I had opened up my Facebook account; and several months before that my Pinterest account was activated. I was pretty much a social media addict by the time all those accounts were open for the world to see, and would spend hours everyday scrolling, liking, reposting, repining, and taking photos just for this or just for that; testing the waters to see what would get the most attention. I began to follow fellow young ladies on Instagram (which became my predominate obsession as soon as I opened my account) who would post selfies and other images that were beautifully composed and edited. However, I was entirely blind to the self-centeredness of the content of the photos and allowed myself to be drug into the “trends” and post the same types of images. What I didn't realize was that my life was revolving around me, myself, and I. I had a big, selfish bubble incasing everything that I did. During this time, I had been finding myself drawing farther and farther away from my Lord Jesus; and the world and its' desires drawing closer.

A few weeks ago, our friends invited us to a young ladies' conference they would be streaming in their home, by the Set-apart Girl Ministry founded by Mr. and Mrs. Ludy, entitled "Come away with Jesus". It was to be a two-day event, beginning on Friday, mid-afternoon with dinner provided. We girls could only make it to the first day; but quite honestly, I believe now that that's all we needed.

While there, I witnessed the most convicting talks I have ever heard. The Holy Spirit was truly working on my heart that evening. The topic of this post was born out of the second talk, which was on Incorruptible Beauty. What does Incorruptable Beauty mean? It designates that Pure, Immortal, Unselfish beauty which Jesus possesses and showed forth to us when He was on earth. It means denying yourself and lifting up Christ (John 3:30). Mrs. Ludy listed several items which don’t encourage that Incorruptible Beauty, but self-promotion. 

The first item: Social Media = Look At Me!

I am sure you can guess that a big “OH…!” went off in my mind.

The second item: Posting Selfies = Look At Me!

Double Oh.

She went on to list such items as Online Dating, Sensual Clothing, Flirting, and Pinterest boards (that one was also a big revelation!), all of which promoted selfish attention from the world. I realized that I was being foolish and clamorous (Proverbs 9:13), drawing attention to myself with idle chatter. Mrs. Ludy mentioned how Jesus states in Matthew 12:36, that "... Every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgement." That verse puts so much gravity and a whole new perspective on how dangerous the use of Social Media can be.

I realized that my self-promotion and idle chatter on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest were all drawing me further from Christ and that Incorruptible Beauty we are called to reflect. I was empty with the world's pleasures and desires, when I should have been full of Christ.

It was truly heart-wrenching. Not in the sense that I had to leave all my attachments behind, but that I had been putting something so worthless (Social Media) before the most priceless gift in the world, Jesus Christ.

I decided that from that time forward I would take a sabbatical from my social accounts until I could discover how I could increase Christ and decrease my worthless self through it. It has been a huge blessing so far, though also a struggle in finding out how to spend my time more wisely and to God’s glory and service.

Up until this time, I was cruising on Instagram. I had been featured by both Boden and ModCloth; followed and liked by a few different up-and-coming companies, and was well on my way to having around 300 followers (I was at 299 the day that I quit). I can't help but feel it is so ironic that God laid it upon my heart to leave the world of Social Media behind when I was at my high-point.

I must say that quitting social media wasn't like a light switch, where my life was completely changed, and my relationship with Christ perfect. No indeed! Sanctification is a long process that takes us to our graves, and only comes to ultimate fruition when we are before the Judgement Throne of God, and Christ intervenes on our behalf, washing away our sins and clothing us in His glory. Though this step away from the internet has impacted my life and relationship with my Lord and Savior in so many ways, it certainly hasn't perfected it. Even now I am being reminded by my own words that I need to be always dying unto self, and exalting Christ.

All this is not to say that Social Media in itself is bad. These types of things are neither bad nor good; only the way in which we use it. A good example of employing social media well is to encourage others, and uplift the word of God and its precepts, like what we girls are doing through this blog. A bad example is what I was doing: posting selfish photographs and idle chatter that merely said "Hey, look how cool I am!"

So why am I writing this post? Aren't I once again promoting myself? Well, honest to goodness, that is not the reason why I am writing this. The purpose behind it is to encourage those of you who have been drawn into the world's trap of self-promotion through the internet, and to warn those who haven't. The first person to whom I wrote out this testimony (other than my family, of course) was a very dear friend of mine. Afterwards, she told me that she thought it would make for a wonderful blog post topic; as it impacted her outlook on social media and helped her reflect on a step she was going to take into that realm. That really inspired me (and my sisters), and told us that this is something I need to share. Please know that I am writing this from a heart in which I am trying to avoid lifting myself up. It is only God working through these poorly written words that they can actually impact a person's life.

I pray that what I have written to you all today would not cause you to be offended or disturbed. Who am I to convict someone, when I myself am an utter hypocrite and sinner? I simply believe God has given me a testimony worth sharing, and I can only pray that it would better your life.

xo,

-Charlotte