Anyone out there with a Facebook profile...?
Good! Glad to know that I'm not the only one. Yesterday, it looks like we were hit pretty hard. I logged in yesterday, only to find people in a mass brutal panic because Godzilla was, once again, terrorizing their town and breathing fire all over their Farmville (don't worry, "Godzilla" is simply a metaphor for the "Facebook Changes". We are NOT experiencing a Godzilla/Facebook Change Double-crisis...God forbid.). Seriously though, some posted some very long "letters to facebook" statuses, giving their $1.50 worth of input on the changes. Others resorted to mere profanity (in ALL CAPS, might I add). And then, there is my favorite--"I'm SO mad, I'm going to put some words on a picture and POST it. That'll show 'em!"
People...seriously? Do we need to take a Facebook timeout? Did anyone even bother to send an email to Facebook support before they threw themselves on the ground, kicking and screaming in a temper tantrum? Maybe some did, but I would anticipate that the majority of us did not--not that I'm in the habit of assuming.
That about wraps up my thoughts for the general public. For the Christian Facebooker...
1. Do not complain (Phil 2:14). Especially on your Facebook status. In doing so, you become NO DIFFERENT from any non-believer, which does NOT align with our calling as followers of Christ.
2. Facebook is free. Since when do we complain about stuff we didn't pay for (i.e. Grace--totally incomparable with Facebook, but the two do undeniably possess this common element.)? I would imagine you would be even more irate if you had to shell out even $1 a month to continue using. This is the largest social network in the world, and I have not paid a dime to be a part of it.
3. Facebook is a mission field. No doubt. Ask yourself one thing--"Do my Facebook friends know I'm a Christian?" If you answer YES because you put "Christian" in Religous Views, SHUT YOUR ACCOUNT DOWN NOW (again, this portion is for the Christian Facebooker). You are doing damage to the Body of Christ--plain and simple. Imagine if I flew over to Africa to do mission work, did not share a single word about Christ with the people, but DID manage to remember to wear my WWJD bracelet. Don't be ineffective.
4. Do you idolize your Facebook account? I think it's a legitimate question. After all, it is pretty cool to be able to check in on your friends at any time. Even cooler to see who's checking on you, commenting on your wall and photos. I think some get a little carried away. I get so sick of people who update their status every hour with worthless junk about their lives, as if they are doing me a service by keeping me informed. How rude of me not to comment. And lay off the ridiculous secondary source prayer requests--"Pray for my friend guys. He just discovered a rash on his inner thigh. It could be cancerous, but it's probably psoriasis." I'm not trying to be cold-hearted here, but there was a reason why Jesus kept only 12 disciples around, and even then, would often go by himself to pray. He didn't tweet his prayer thoughts to all of Jerusalem. We don't have to either.
I'm sorry to offend anyone, but again, keep in mind that these thoughts are intended for reflection. Yes, I have expressed MY opinion, and I hope it has made you think. Bottom line, Christians--"...whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus..." (Col. 3:17).
Fin
