Nathan Neighbors
Follower of Christ, Husband, Father, & Youth Pastor
Forty Seven days ago I left social media. I said then that I felt like social media had gotten in the way of my life and my relationship with Christ. So, I set out to get away from Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I deleted the apps from my phone and let everyone know I was leaving. It wasn’t an easy process, but looking back it was so worth it. Lent has come and gone and yesterday we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus. As I return to the cyber world I want to share with you 10 things I learned during Lent 2014.
- The world didn’t stop because I left social media.
- Most people didn’t notice I was gone.
- Nothing major happened while I was gone.
- It was nice to talk to people face to face at meals and not with my fingers looking at a little glowing screen. To be honest, I never noticed how many people are looking at their phone in restaurants or out in public rather than talking to the people they are with.
- I now know how it feels to be one of the few people who live outside the world of Facebook. Yes, there are still a few people out there who don’t care what your status is today. However, Facebook knew I was gone and they wanted me back…lol. They sent me an email each week on Sundays trying to entice me to return by telling me what I had missed..
- There is so much more time in the day when I’m not glued to my phone.
- There is more time for meaningful conversation with people and most importantly with JESUS.
- Though social media has it’s positives, the biggest negative of social media is the way it gives many people a false sense of identity. Far too many people (often unknowingly) allow other people on social media to fuel their self-worth and fill the void in their life. Truth is…only Christ can do that. He is sufficient to meet all your needs (2 Corinthians 3:5). Stop letting what people say or don’t say about you on your wall or on your Instagram be the gauge for the worth of your life.
- Though I’m back online, I will do this again. Having days or weeks away from the cyber world is refreshing. I will never let social media become consuming again. I pray it will be a tool for life and ministry and nothing more.
- When you spend less time checking social media you have more time to check in on The One who means the most. I finished the New Testament during Lent. The Word of The Lord is always more fulfilling than the words of Followers, Likers, or Re-Tweeters.
Have you ever wanted to hit the pause button on your life? Have you ever wanted to step back, breathe and really see what the Lord is doing in and around you? Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. This time of year we turn our hearts toward the cross of Christ and reflect on what He sacrificed in order to give us life.
Though I love social media, I’m struggling lately with being tied too closely to my smart phone and too loosely with my Savior. As a husband, father, and student minister I’m constantly on social media. I’ve been online since the days of dial-up. But with the advent of the smart phone – life has been an ever-increasing swirl of information overload in the palm of my hand. Don’t get me wrong, I love the way social media can keep us connected, but I worry how the overuse is affecting my walk with Christ, marriage, parenting and ministry. So, I’m hitting pause.
I’m not writing this to say, “look at me.” I’m writing this to say, “pray for me!” As a tech-junkie this will be hard, but important. I want the hours per day that I’m not doing something in the social media world to be spent in the Word and reflecting on the most important relationship in my life. Jesus needs to be more – I need to be less. You can always reach me by email, text, calling or in person. I’ll rejoin the social media scene again on Easter Sunday 2014.
It’s been a month since Ellis started his journey to help his friend Maddox. Since he sold his first bracelet to Tory Brown back in early January, Ellis has made over 150 bracelets on his own. He also received help making bracelets from a few friends as well as the teenagers and college students at Ebenezer Baptist Church. Ellis even recruited the help of Maddox’s family! We’ve been in a sea of green and blue rubber bands around our house. People from all over South Carolina have purchased bracelets. Today Ellis made his first donation of $525 to the Parent Project for Muscular Dystrophy. We’re blown away by how Ellis’ idea has taken off and he’s not done yet. He is still making bracelets and would love to sell one (or ten) to you. Bracelets are still $2. Get yours today! Thank you to everyone who has purchased a bracelet, made a donation or even provided rubber bands (we’ve gone through over 23,000 bands). It’s been awesome to see so many people rally around Maddox and his family as they fight to end Duchenne.
If you’re one of the over 225 people wearing a Maddox Bracelet please post a picture of you and your Maddox bracelet to social media and hashtag it: #hopeformaddox
Nathan Neighbors 