What to do about Facebook?

A couple of years ago, I started getting friend requests.

I ignored them and went on about my business.

The more I received in my inbox, the more I didn't want to be on Facebook. I kind of decided that I would in my own mind boycott it. Everyone around me seemed to be on Facebook. It was as if, the whole world was all on one page talking and sharing everything about their lives. Friends would say, "I saw that on Facebook" or, "did you know such and such was ......I saw it on Facebook." I couldn't believe all the information about everyone's lives were shared so openly, so raw in some cases and without any inhibition.

But once friended by a mentor, I gave in and placed my face among the many faces in the world of Facebook. Instead of boycotting it I thought, "why not join it?" Instantly I had 30 friends. Wow! I thought. Everyone is there. People from my past and present are mostly there. It was fun to see where they were in their lives and what all was going on. I have enjoyed being on the social networking site. But I do see some downsides to it and believe there needs to be a balance of virtual reality and real life reality.

I believe Facebook should never take the place of real relationships. The friends who know me the best, spend time with me and I with them. I believe Facebook should be balanced and not overtake your life. I don't get on Facebook everyday because I don't need to know everything about everybody everyday. This is the way it doesn't overtake my life, my mind, my thoughts. But I can see how for some people it could get out of hand. I can see how a person could become to feel alienated while on a "social" networking site. I can see how a person could become sad while feeling left out on a site that supposedly tells them they have "all" these friends.

Friends, believers, members of the church, let's be sensitive to watch what we post on Facebook and not leave our other brothers and sisters out. They are watching.

I like the article posted by Dr. Russell Moore and what he had to say about Facebook in his post.
Click below and read the full article.

Why Facebook (and Your Church) Might Be Making You Sad

Last, there is no way to get around Facebook except to quit using the site if you can't handle all the information sharing. It's true, people post what they want you to know about themselves.

Comments to Dr. Moore's post I thought were thought provoking said the following about how some people use Facebook:

"People like to have image control on Facebook"

"Some people have no inhibition to what they share when it comes to elevating or belittling their spouse and family or job."

"Some people post things to get attention"

"Facebook is used to for people to help recreate themselves in the perspective of their peers."

I thought this was noteworthy enough to share today. Joy Treasure exists to encourage you to think more of Christ in your daily life and how you can be a living example of Christ to others. Even on Facebook we have a witness. How can you use Facebook in a better way than you are using it? A lot to think about.

Would love to know your thoughts about this!