Time to time, I always feel the thirst in pursuing Godly truth that He wants me (read: us) to know. I believe in every single life, there's a message that is in a need to be treasured. For me, understanding God's words and to live as His will are the greatest things I could possibly do for His glorious name. Lately, I found a tremendous truth about healthy blogging. It is not just concluding the blog, but also all social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Path, Instagram (well, it's a lot to mention). Indeed, to understand His message will not be simple, yet it takes experiences and times. But once you get closer with the message, it is your grateful heart you will see.
The message I'd like to share is about living for eternity in this "sophisticated" era. Where social media influences young people in common.
It is started with a verse like this:
Turn my eyes away from worthless things, and revive me in Your way. - Psalm 119:37.
For the girls who try to follow this message, will suit the term of "set-apart girl", who is dead to the world and its applause, to all customs, fashions, and laws of those who hate the humbling Cross.
"..It is the life that has no time for trifling that counts."
The temptation to trifle with world pre-occupation often sneaks in very subtly, under the banner of "good" things; like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. They are such a great inspiration, that seems completely healthy and harmless at first glance. But such things can quickly become a morass of distraction and compromise the complete devotion to Him. In my own scope, internet is one of the primary ways that we can lose our spiritual sharpness (including me). There will be more time in the internet I found happiness. It is about the attraction that matters the most. I realize that the internet can be a huge time-eater. If there is no disciple to our time online, we will quickly find that the best hours of our day have been wasted in cyber-world instead of given to real life.
I was doing lots of unhealthy blogging through each media I have, which are Facebook, Twitter, this blog, and lately the Instagram. After knowing this message, I tried to dig deep my own motivation, why did I post stuffs which are actually supposed to be personal, why should I display the pictures about my daily, why did I become this over-exposing myself to the world?
I felt the shame after knowing my-self-truth. To be honest, I do like writing and I love English. This is the base reasons why I create this blog. But to the extent I found myself start to be led in wrong way in the Facebook and Instagram. That's why I'd like to humble myself and share to you (especially the girls) the message I got concerning this issue.
"..if my inner ponderings were displayed to the world, I would have nothing special or sacred left to guard and protect."
These are few symptoms of unhealthy blogging:
1. 'All About Me"-blogging, where you post too much on yourself, to make the world see how special you are, to steal attention from people, to create jealousy among friends, to convince other how important you are, and all the way to create magnetic personality. This is the time you are trying to picture yourself in others eyes, while don't let them see you naturally. In extent, you will be able to manipulate from thing to thing that may turn to a bad habit. Briefly, to make yourself into a big deal. How the "likes" is the only thing you are chasing from your brothers and sisters. It will drive you to self-praising human, instead of Jesus Christ. This potentially leads you to not apply the verses below, that The Lord would like to pursue the thing that may edify one another in a good way (Romans 14:19).
"Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
"He must increase, but I must decrease." - John 3:30
2. Public-consuming blogging, this one happening when you start to publicize your every tiny thing into the media. When people should see what you eat, what you wear, what you buy, what you read, what you got, your thoughts, and everything! It is good to share info with other, but then check again your basic motivation. It may cause the attitude of ruling the world to value you as a "trendsetter". I read one article about this point, that "Christ-built guys are fascinated, intrigued, and captivated by women who are MYSTERIOUS and GUARDED," these two words are the keys. It is the investment of women for her future spouse to treasure. You don't need every single move to be realized by others, while forgetting your own space as a noble woman.
"the deepest thoughts and ponderings of my heart are kept secret, away from the eyes of the world."
"But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart." - Luke 2:19
These are few symptoms of unhealthy blogging:
1. 'All About Me"-blogging, where you post too much on yourself, to make the world see how special you are, to steal attention from people, to create jealousy among friends, to convince other how important you are, and all the way to create magnetic personality. This is the time you are trying to picture yourself in others eyes, while don't let them see you naturally. In extent, you will be able to manipulate from thing to thing that may turn to a bad habit. Briefly, to make yourself into a big deal. How the "likes" is the only thing you are chasing from your brothers and sisters. It will drive you to self-praising human, instead of Jesus Christ. This potentially leads you to not apply the verses below, that The Lord would like to pursue the thing that may edify one another in a good way (Romans 14:19).
"Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
"He must increase, but I must decrease." - John 3:30
2. Public-consuming blogging, this one happening when you start to publicize your every tiny thing into the media. When people should see what you eat, what you wear, what you buy, what you read, what you got, your thoughts, and everything! It is good to share info with other, but then check again your basic motivation. It may cause the attitude of ruling the world to value you as a "trendsetter". I read one article about this point, that "Christ-built guys are fascinated, intrigued, and captivated by women who are MYSTERIOUS and GUARDED," these two words are the keys. It is the investment of women for her future spouse to treasure. You don't need every single move to be realized by others, while forgetting your own space as a noble woman.
"the deepest thoughts and ponderings of my heart are kept secret, away from the eyes of the world."
"But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart." - Luke 2:19
3. "Fishing for a guy" - blogging, this way of blogging is a creative way to manipulate men's heart. Instead of waiting on God, controlling their emotions, and allowing God to script their love story in His perfect time, girls often try to impress guy readers by showing of their wit, sense of humor, unique ideas, and the list goes on.
4. Idle-words, it is the blogging where empty discussion of vain and useless matters are happening.
"But shun profane and vain babbling: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." - 2 Timothy 2:16.
5. Fan Club blogging, it is discussing about the popularity. It used to be that in order to become one of the "cool kids" you had to wear the right clothes, use the right slang, and strategically position yourself around the in-crowd. The applause and approval of the outside world is often our prime motivation for blogging.
6. Fake Preacher blogging, this one is the most dangerous things about the internet is that it puts everyone on equal footing. In real life, these bloggers may be self-focused, world, and spiritual weak, and yet in the blogging world they are looked up to as spiritual giant and Christ-like examples. We should never blindly take spiritual advice from people's blog simply because they can write well. Everything must be tested against the Word of God, not just by how artistic the words sound. Well, it is entirely possible to have a blog that mentions Jesus over and over again, yet still be completely about you.
I may write this in a position as deliverer, from articles I read and it inspired me so much. To the extent, I would like to amend myself concerning this matter. I don't want to keep it myself, but I know everyone deserve to know about this message too. I may not write this to collect compliments, I know I do not even counted into the cool kids club, but I'm trying to humble myself on how I admit I was trying to be in that wrong way too. And I am joyful to have this way in my life so that I could learn a lot.
Keep learning!!!
I wish you tons of luck, brothers and sisters. Keep chasing on His words :)
I love you all.. :)
4. Idle-words, it is the blogging where empty discussion of vain and useless matters are happening.
"But shun profane and vain babbling: for they will increase unto more ungodliness." - 2 Timothy 2:16.
5. Fan Club blogging, it is discussing about the popularity. It used to be that in order to become one of the "cool kids" you had to wear the right clothes, use the right slang, and strategically position yourself around the in-crowd. The applause and approval of the outside world is often our prime motivation for blogging.
6. Fake Preacher blogging, this one is the most dangerous things about the internet is that it puts everyone on equal footing. In real life, these bloggers may be self-focused, world, and spiritual weak, and yet in the blogging world they are looked up to as spiritual giant and Christ-like examples. We should never blindly take spiritual advice from people's blog simply because they can write well. Everything must be tested against the Word of God, not just by how artistic the words sound. Well, it is entirely possible to have a blog that mentions Jesus over and over again, yet still be completely about you.
I may write this in a position as deliverer, from articles I read and it inspired me so much. To the extent, I would like to amend myself concerning this matter. I don't want to keep it myself, but I know everyone deserve to know about this message too. I may not write this to collect compliments, I know I do not even counted into the cool kids club, but I'm trying to humble myself on how I admit I was trying to be in that wrong way too. And I am joyful to have this way in my life so that I could learn a lot.
Keep learning!!!
I wish you tons of luck, brothers and sisters. Keep chasing on His words :)
I love you all.. :)
