Behind the Selfie
I had an absurdist moment the other day when a small business that I like made a social media post saying that it is a greater help to their business if a follower does not merely click the “Like” button, but also leaves a comment on the post. That will make it seem more important to the social media platform’s algorithm, which will then show it to more people. Wishing to help, I went to leave a comment, but didn’t really have anything to say. So, I simply commented that I was commenting.
What have we become?!!?
One of the features of our modern age is the ability to live publicly in ways never before imagined. Whether it’s for good or not is an ongoing subject of debate, one I do not intend to settle here. But in the past 20 years we have witnessed the rise of the viral video, the Instagram-able life, the selfie, the influencer, the comment section, and the “like.” We now “friend,” people rather than befriend them. There are people who structure their lives around algorithms, or at the very least around creating and maintaining a social media persona. As a result, there is a perception (or possibly an illusion) that we are now really in a time when, as Warhol suggested, everyone will have his 15 minutes of fame.
But there is one thing that the whirling, scrolling cauldron of social media does not seem to be able to produce: any sense of real meaning. After all, in a godless world, what does it matter if you do or don’t live a beautiful Insta-worthy life? Even so, we find ourselves looking at our days and our lives through the filter of how it will look if we share it with others.
Social media makes us think that we are in control of what the world sees. But as Christians, we know that God is on the throne. He is the one in control, and he sees it all. We would do much better to consider God’s presence in our life even when no one else is watching than to be sure to take a selfie in front of the Mona Lisa so that people we knew back in the fifth grade can click a heart button when they see it. That’s because God sees what’s behind that selfie.
The wisdom literature tells us “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3), “For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths” (Prov. 5:21). “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecc.12:13b-14). You see, when we are godly in times when nobody else is looking, it is reveals our faith in the God who does see. God’s opinion of us should be the only one that really matters. He alone sees what is in our heart. He knows the truth about us. He knows the ugly parts. He knows our sin. He knows we need a savior, and he alone has provided one for us in Jesus Christ.
Christians, we represent Christ the Savior, his character, and his gospel in this fallen world. This is the single most important thing we do. While this does show in external ways—in transformed temperaments and holy living—it also shows in quiet, internal ways that are not appropriate to flaunt in the public square. For example, when Christ teaches about charitable giving, he says, “when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Mt.6:2-4).
The values of this world—pride, self-interest, and unbelief—are not the values of God's Kingdom. Humility gains little traction in the land of social media. But when we focus on the God who loved us so much that he sent his Son to die for our sins and who raised him from death so that we who believe “will also live with him” (2 Tim. 2:11), we find a love inexpressible and beyond imagination. Yet as we keep His presence in the forefront of our minds, we find his goodness expressing itself through our lives and our interactions with others.
I encourage you today to look to God's Word. Get to know him there. Pray without ceasing. Ask him to strengthen your faith. Remember all that he has done for you. Remember that he is with you and acknowledge him in all that you do. God sees. And, whether or not anyone else is watching, let that knowledge guide you. Show him what you're about, and as you do, you will find yourself glorifying him to the people in your sphere of influence.
