Societal Change - Social Media

Anita Delene Manthe
Sep 23, 2016
2 min read

The good old days is a term common to all cultures. We all speak about an era when things were different; when people were different.

The good old days brings to mind an era generally quieter, more caring, practical wisdom was more common, and most people knew those around them. They knew who their neighbors were, and had a general idea of their comings and goings. And what their lives were about.

Today, we have the supposed advantage of social media. Many believe we have evolved to a greater means to interact with others, we think it easier and convenient. But, for whom; who is served best by social media?

The word social is another way of saying community, an environment of sharing and caring where people relate with one another, and their manner of life and living is embraced and accepted. Media is a means of communication, how we express ourselves. It’s what we say to others about our lives, our thoughts and opinions and what we hear about theirs. With social media – the internet – there is an exchange of information; edited, perfected, a revealing of our choosing, and of our control. We want our electronic social media friends to see the bright and sunny side of our lives, and no more. And, they want us to see the same about theirs.

This is not social – hiding behind an electronic device is not involvement in another’s live. It is controlled avoidance. It is hiding! This is very far from establishing a community to interact with, to care about, and to be cared about.

Social media as your only tool for meeting others, befriending them, and growing a relationship is not a wise choice. Social media as a tool to connect with those whom you already have an established relationship with makes it a good tool. How do you use social media? Is it a boundary wall for you – a means of controlling your environment and involvement with others? Or has it become your status symbol, where you boast about your social connections. Connections that are as empty as your boasting – they are all air. Empty words!

If this is your reality, consider reaching out to others in your community. Start a social media campaign. Your own. Build a community where you interact with others, becoming familiar with their concerns and needs. Should this be a hard and difficult thing for you to do, consider your local grocery store staff, library, or plant nursery. Learn their names. Who are they? What are their interests outside of where they work? Find these out, and pray for them. Make these moments the start of the good old days of your life. And when you have done this, only then use electronic social media to stay in touch, to encourage and build them up.

Lay down your life for the new friends you want, those whom you pray for, hope for and share the moments of your days with. Pray for them, pray for yourself!

'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31)
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)