We in the west have a problem, I feel.
Several, in fact.
One is that we're addicted to money and to that which money can buy. As a result, we look at almost everything in terms of how much it will cost us or how such and such or doing this or that might benefit or harm us monetarily.
This “problem” has, in many ways, harmed our friendships as it has spurred a great migration from what they once were, say thirty years ago, to that which appears to be far more transactional in nature. As a result, many of us have become very nearly and completely disconnected from each other, from our environment, AND from God. And it is this disconnectedness, I am convinced, which has led to the pandemic of addictive behaviors, psychological and emotional illnesses, and the general malaise, if not abject unhappiness, that blankets like snow the fruited planes and amber waves of grain of this great nation.
But, alas, the drive for money, which does indeed separate, has, paradoxically, created a solution...
SOCIAL MEDIA.
Ummmm…Maybe.
(Oh…and by social media, I don’t mean just Facebook, Twitter, and the like, for I am referring to other outlets as well, such as e-mailing, texting, blogging, video conferencing, etc.)
Everything, my friend, is a tool of Satan. And I mean everything. Notice that I did not write that everything is “of Satan” or “created by Satan.” For the only thing Satan EVER created was the lying tongue. As Jesus declared in the scriptures, Satan is “The Father of Lies.” The scriptures also refer to him in Revelation as “The Accuser of the Brethren,” which is, quite simply, one among many subheadings under “The Father of Lies” banner. Satan, I’m afraid, takes everything he can and uses it in whatever ways he can to (1) separate us from God, (2) separate us from ourselves, (3) separate us from each other, and then to (4) blind us to the realities of (1), (2), and (3). It’s his oldest trick in the book, and it hasn’t changed. Unfortunately, because of our extreme reticence to learn from the experiences of others (chiefly, our parents and elders), we approach life with such primitive intuitions that Satan continues to implement—very successfully, mind you—the “same-ole-same-ole” distractions that short-circuit our connections to each other, to ourselves, and to God. It is all so very sad.
Okay…so we’re separated from God, from ourselves, and from each other. Is social media the solution? Nope. (In fact, of course not!!)
Can it be a tool for drawing us closer together? Yep.
But…just as the medicine that heals can become the poison that kills, we must approach everything—even that which might seem to bring us together—with a sober mind.
And an open heart.
Am I against social media? Of course not. In fact, I’m all for it as I use it quite often throughout my life (my use of this blog site is one among many examples). I just need to be really careful, and that’s all. Social media is not really intended to be an end unto itself, but, rather, a tool unto a particular end.
And it’s “the end” that makes all the difference…
If the end is to help convey information and to facilitate or enhance face-to-face interaction with other human beings, than I would consider such an end worthwhile. If, however, the end is to replace or water-down face-to-face interactions with other human beings than I would say that such an end is seriously unhealthy.
For those of you who have, in large part, rejected social media, I can certainly understand why. However, before you throw out the social media bathwater, may I recommend giving the water a careful inspection to make sure you’re not tossing the baby out as well. Many in our culture rely upon social media in some fashion (yours truly is definitely included in that group); to outright reject such “tools” might, quite possibly, alienate you from those with whom you wish to interact and connect. While this is, of course, just my observation, I think there’s something there to consider, wouldn’t you agree?
There are a few other aspects of our culture that I would like to look at in a similar vein. Especially those as they relate to the majority (or developing) world and that world’s attraction to the “hope” believed to be inherent in what I might call “the 'promised land' of all things western.”
Peace out, y’all,
Daver
