That being said, I gave up social media for all of lent. (The extra 7 days didn't kill me.) I cut myself off of all Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. And here's why.
Lent is a tradition synonymous with "giving up" things. My mom, being the upstanding Roman Catholic she is, encouraged my siblings and I to "celebrate" lent with her each year when I was younger. And I use "celebrate" lightly; what 7 year old really wants to give up sugar? Things like chocolate, television, or other distractions are typically given up. Usually people do these things as a cleanse for themselves, but I wonder how many people actually use this tradition to honor the One who conquered it first.
Most people know this about me: I simply believe in Jesus. Interpret however you want, Jesus is the name I live by. Unapologetically. During this season of lent, I decided to give up this distraction of social media to get closer to Him. By desiring a closeness with Christ, I inherited many other benefits along the way. (I even tried to keep track of the amount of time I saved myself, but that proved impossible.) I wanted to share a few lessons I learned along the way.
1) Life is about way more than me. This moment I'm living in was created for me to enjoy, but not to get stuck in. Right before lent started, I began serving at my church, Hillsong NYC aka THEREASONIDONTWANTTOLEAVENEWYORKBECAUSEILOVEMYCHURCHSOFREAKINGMUCH. And at first, I didn't want to even get involved. Anyone who knows me knows that back in Kent, I serve dangerously on the brink of almost becoming a drop out. I become so focused on my service that I don't take time for me (or school, or anything else). Unhealthy balance. So I thought this semester would be a great opportunity to get involved with small groups and college ministry, but sit back on the serving front. I felt this strong conviction to serve anyways, and found my way to the Hospitality team. The relationships I've built in just a short month have brought so much joy to my life. Figuring out how to serve water and snacks to our church has been a great joy, and this team keeps me just as accountable for going to church as do my connect group girls. Along the way I've even learned how to balance my heart for service with my obligations. Pretty great stuff.
2) My worth is greater than all of the Internet combined. I am a child of the King. Enough said.
(However, if you need further explanation, take a peek at the picture below.)
Yes, I had to re-learn some of the apps I keep on my phone for picture editing. This small sacrifice is worth doing a thousand times over if it means keeping a close connection with my King. That's all I have for y'all on this lovely Easter Sunday. Enjoy church, or chocolate, or whatever it is you do today. Just remember that there is a very real person who died and rose again, today, for you. And His name is Jesus.
