Friday, August 3, 2012

101 Days

Wednesday officially marked the 101st day of my Facebook Fast!  April 24 was the day I committed to stay away from Facebook for 100 days.  I made this decision because I knew I was struggling with contentment and comparing myself to others.  I was wasting time looking at Facebook and not investing in the relationships around me.  Here are a few highlights and discoveries from my time away...

*I discovered how much time there is in a day.  So often when I would get on Facebook, I would simply zone out.  An hour would pass and I would wonder, where did the day go?!

*My mind was still.  When I look at pictures and stories from everyone all the time my brain races 90 miles a minute.  I would think about all the things going on with friends in the States, my own personal life & family, plus my brothers and sisters in Haiti...ALL AT ONCE! The Lord did not design my brain to work this way, I needed to chill out.

*Trey noticed differences in me as well.  He said I was no longer talking about other people and all they were doing...I was HERE and in the moment.  He said overall I seemed much more content and not concerned over the small things.

What's next you may ask?  Am I going to break my computer and avoid any form of social networking from here on out?  Not quite!  I do not think that Facebook is evil, and that anyone who logs on has committed the unpardonable sin.  However, I am also not naive to my weaknesses.  I plan on taking extreme caution as I begin to explore the realm of social media again.  I desire to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, MIND, and strength.

15 minutes a day.  Everything in moderation.  I found it shocking that the thought of spending 15 minutes a day on Facebook seems so short to me.  However, ask me to run in place for 15 minutes, wow that's a long time!  Or, ask me to be on my knees in prayer for 15 minutes everyday...The things I do and the way I spend my time are a true reflection of what is in my heart.

Here in Haiti, I cannot walk out on the streets without a little kid hollering, blanc.  This term refers to the color of my skin, and labels me as a foreigner.  It is who I am, and I cannot hide it.  When I was out north last week, the children would literally shriek when I passed because it is very rare for them to see blancs.
A few of the new friends I made last week.
The precious kiddos took notice of the fact that I looked different than them.  They would run their fingers through my hair, and laugh as they tried to rub the freckles off of me.  As I spent this time being "observed" I was hit with the question, "When is the last time someone has looked in my direction and yelled, Christian?"  

Oh to live my life in such a way that there is NO denying what I believe, and to whom I belong.  As believers, we are the aroma of Christ.  My love and relationship with Him should shine from me, even more than the very color of my skin.  People will see and take note of my love of Christ, by the love I have for others.  

John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another, as I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another."

They will also see it by the words that flow from my mouth.  The way I spend my "free time" and the choices I make are also very clear indicators of whose I am.  I pray these things will remain on the forefront of my mind as I step ever so slightly back into the Facebook world.  

May the words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

 









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