Real Relationships in a Social Media World

Which is more powerful, real relationships or social media followers? Learning the difference between them is a far cry from actually applying it in our lives. Sometimes it takes a supernatural event to make us realize how important real relationships can be. I recently had an “aha” moment with God about this very subject.

Coincidence. The Cambridge Dictionary defines coincidence as such: an occasion when two or more things happen at the same time especially in a way that is unexpected or unlikely, or the unlikely fact of things happening at the same time.

Now, I don’t believe in coincidence. If more than two things happen at the same time or near the same time unexpectedly, it is an opportunity for me to take note because God is about to do something in my life.

On a previous blog post, One Thing Necessary, I applied the story of Martha and Mary from Luke 10 as the foundation of how I need to spend time “with” Jesus and not be distracted with everything else. Today at church, my pastor preached from this passage in a series called Distracted. It’s about how technology can distract from having a real relationship with Jesus. Okay, that’s unremarkable in and of itself.

During my pastor’s (Archie) sermon he had a quote from Craig Groeschel. Not really a big deal, right? Craig Groeschel is the pastor of Life.Church. Along with that, he delivers leadership podcasts, writes books, and has devotionals on the YouVersion Bible App. It’s not surprising to me that Archie quoted Craig. Yet, here’s the thing: I have been reading this past week Craig Groeschel’s devotional liking Jesus: intimacy and contentment in a selfie-centered world. A lot of what I’ve read this past week my pastor covered today.This is not a coincidence!

Nothing happens by pure chance or accident, and what appears to be merely fortunate or unfortunate circumstance is really the outworking of God’s plans.

eDevotion for Growing Christians: Coincidence – or Providence

God has a plan for me. He has orchestrated these two events to get my attention. Now, it’s up to me how to respond. My first response is to give Him the glory! Secondly, I am putting down my phone and tablet so I can engage with the Lord of Creation on a relational level by having conversations with Him, by worshipping Him, and by loving Him. My third response, but not at all least, sharing with others what Jesus has done for me.

It’s time to awaken from the fog of social media and spend time with Jesus. While social media can be addictive, it can also be a powerful tool when used appropriately. However, social media cannot replace the joy interacting with our family and friends in real relationships. Liking Instagram pictures from our family and friends is nothing like being with our family and friends on a day to day basis with them.

I’m just as bad as the next person to get pulled into the social media circus. Sometimes it takes a supernatural event to pull me back into real life, back into real relationships.

Let me end with this verse about God’s providential plan:

For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord , 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.' Jeremiah 29:11 NASB

This post was originally posted on my previous blog on March 10, 2019 as Relationships in a Social Media World.