I don’t participate in social media. I don’t look at it or contribute to it. I don’t follow anyone on the usual platforms, and I don’t have any followers either.

I’m not saying this as a brag or a complaint. While I do see a lot of traps and dangers with social media, it also has many benefits to offer.

But unfortunately, the downsides seem to be overwhelming those benefits. As a society, we have launched from the “Me Generation” of the 70s to a new and stratospheric aggrandizement of self, thanks to the internet.

On the internet, I am told that everything I do, eat, say, wear, and think is of utter importance and value to the world. Someone is always there to like, comment, or subscribe. If I don’t post a photo of myself, my followers will be so lost and disappointed.

And like most things on the internet, these trends have been monetized. Whole new careers as “influencers” have popped up around this idea that everyone cares what I say and do, where I go, and who I know.

The problem is, what I do isn’t really that captivating so I have to start enhancing and embellishing or doing unusual things. With AI assistance, this can now take on a whole new level of self-promotion. But is the self I’m promoting really me?

I can get lost in the shuffle. Really lost.

Jesus has the solution. He says all this focus on self is backwards and leads to death. The only way to true life, life to the fullest, is through Him. To uncover a life of joy and peace, fulfillment and love, I have to put aside myself and exalt Him. Follow only Him.

Jesus modeled this type of humility and devotion to God. He gave up everything to become a lowly human with no status. He didn’t self-promote. He loved other people generously and promoted God. He was obedient to God, not the glitterati of His time. And He hung out with the losers and the outcasts, not at all concerned with His own reputation.

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
‭‭(Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5,‬ ‭NLT)‬‬

If I want peace, joy, and true love in my life, the answer is simple. All I have to do is stop worrying about promoting myself and promote Jesus instead. In the end, when I humble myself in this way, God promises to exalt me. (Luke‬ ‭14‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

Dear God, it is so easy to focus on myself. Every day I try to be impressive, to look good, to be liked. I’m afraid to say the wrong thing or be left out. Help me to eschew these concerns and care about what you think instead. Teach me to point others to you. You are impressive! I am not. In you, we can all find the love we need and the joy we long for.