The past few weeks with our Jr. High and High Schoolers we have been discussing what our "Face"book says about us! What we post, and what we don't post... the things we "like", our statuses, pictures we post... and then I kinda thought about it. When I was in high school there was no such thing as MySpace, Facebook, hi5, or even really texting. So we have come a long way in the past 10 years or so I think.
So here I have my Facebook, which I have had since you had to be a college student with a college email address and it was a great networking site (much like LinkedIn is currently). And now there are games and posting photo albums, videos, statuses..... and it is just crazy what it has become.
Facebook can be a great thing but it can also be a nightmare. Blocking people not just because they are harassing you (which would be the only reason I would ever block someone.... or some people who constantly friend request me and I don't even know them), but because either they said something you didn't like, or you had a fight. Or we limit what we let them see on our page, or we unfriend them. We have stopped communicating outside the texting, Facebook, or email maybe out of convenience or maybe it is an easy thing to hide behind. We let Facebook dictate our status with someone outside of the Facebook World. And I am guilty of this too... why add someone to Facebook (possibly to not hurt their feelings) and block the lines of communication for chatting or even hiding news feeds. I am totally guilty of this. I mean what is the point... to mislead the other person, or to not feel like an awful person if you don't.
Also... we are who we are when no one is watching. I think we let that be known on our Facebook. I recently experienced this with someone whom meant a great deal to me... but then Facebook also revealed things I wish I didn't know, even though I should know. Something that started a downhill spiral, that I am still working through as I learn to forgive. Facebook exposes men or women who cheat on their significant others-- which is what I came to find, or find those living the life they don't let some people see... and it is all rather disturbing. And it gets me thinking... does my Facebook truly reflect who I am? Do I match what I put on there? Do I create a different "me" for that side of the world? With the someone I recently made vague mention of... it goes farther... their god has pretty much become Facebook. 900 friends and growing and almost guaranteeing there is not a close friendship with the majority, and they majority being the opposite sex... it makes you wonder the motive that is there in friending those people. Is it really for networking purposes? Is it to be Mr. or Mrs. Popular. Now, I am not one to crack down on a plethra of friends because I have over 600 that I know in someway or another, or at least I can tell you how I have some sort of association with them-- truly because of either Poly, churches I have attended, my current church fellowship, high school, old roommates, family, Jr. High friends... the list goes on. However, I go through my list every few weeks or so... and widdle out some that I truly don't speak to beyond posting on their wall once a year to wish them a Happy Birthday or congratulate them on something that they put in their status that was displayed on the news feed. Facebook helps us be better friends maybe by knowing birthdays, and being up to date in their lives.
Facebook has become this big thing in our world. And I am not too sure it is a great thing. I mean like Facebook, I can stay connected with family and long time friends and acquaintances, and even continue to network. Where do we draw the line? Why are we more vulnerable on Facebook than anywhere else. We share more on Facebook than we share to our church families, to our close friends... we have stopped direct communication either out of being scared to see the face of people we tell intimate things to for fear of judgement, or we are being lazy or maybe really it is all just convenient. How has Facebook changed your relationships? Or how you view a person? Are your friendships detrimental on how you have the person on your Facebook and what you allow them to see? Is there anything on your Facebook you post you wouldn't want commented on or seen? Do you post opinions but hope no one opposes it but just support it? What do you allow on your Facebook? Because even what you let others say represents what you stand for or condone. As 2010 ends quickly (and it is speeding by), what will you be in 2010... or rather whom? Will you walk away from the screen or not go to that app on your phone and rather go face to face?! Will you be more careful about what your Facebook says about you? What you are saying to others without fear? Will you hide behind it as means of attack or being your true self? If Facebook is becoming your god (priority)... is it time to make a change and put God back at the front and loving people and having meaningful and God honoring and pleasing relationships? Will you continue to post pictures of partying til the wee hours of the morning double fisted and then your status contradicts the life you say you live? Will Facebook contradict who you tell people in person you are?
Just something to think about... me included!
Maybe start the new year without Facebook for one week... and in that time connect with people face to face, over the phone... be who you are to them not at them. It will make a difference, and a challenge I am pondering taking on myself!
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