Selfie Mode

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  People will be lovers of themselves.  – 2 Timothy 3:1-2

I just googled that 93 million selfies are taken each day.  Thus, if each snap of a selfie represented one mile, we would make it to the Sun every day (Of course, this is according to round-earth theory). I’ve never really thought about, nor cared how many selfies people take of themselves.  I watched a bus load of students walk out of a gas station recently and one by one take a selfie.  For the first time in my life, I thought it was strange.  I immediately thought of 2 Timothy 3.

The internet has changed so many things.  Social media has made it possible to make this little shrine to ourselves.  We air our own opinions and show the world the world through our eyes.  When someone doesn’t agree with us, we often “unfriend” them.  I’ve been unfriended for simply asking questions and having a different opinion.  I have certainly done some unfriending myself, but hopefully not simply because someone thinks differently than myself. 

We also have dating apps.  On these apps, people try to find someone exactly like themselves.  If someone has the same interests, likes to go to the same places, and likes to do pretty much the same things, then they’ve possibly found “the one.”  I’m not even saying this is a bad thing, but it certainly can be.  The Bible says a Christian should not be “unequally yoked with an unbeliever” (2 Corinthians 6:14).  Though I don’t think that verse is for marriage exclusively, it is certainly included.  I just think most people are looking to fulfil their own wants, needs, and desires instead of looking to really pour into someone else’s life.  “You complete me” is the worst line that has ever come out of Hollywood.   That is an awful lot of pressure to put on someone. 

What is the point?  I have really been trying lately to pour into people’s lives.  It has been messy, it has been costly, and it really is draining mentally, spiritually, and physically.  But you know what?  I also find that I’m just as drained when I’m only focused on me and mine.  In fact, I’d say that the draining I feel when focused on others is a lot better than the draining I feel from being focused on myself.  When focused on myself, I try to solve so many of my own problems.  When focused on others, I generally have no idea how to help, so I take it to the Lord.  I’ve been in more prayer for others this last month than I probably have the other months of 2023 combined.  I say this to my shame, but I also say this because it is really nice to be out of selfie mode.

Think about this, when Eve is tempted by Satan in the garden (Genesis 3:5), he does not ask her to focus on the worship of himself.  He simply asks her to worship herself.  “You will be like God,” “Your eyes will be open.”  Friend, we are already like God, for we were created in His image (Genesis 1:27).  It is just so easy to forget, and maybe even easier to simply not believe, for we live in a world that constantly wants to criticize and tear down.  

What is the answer?  The answer is to look at something greater than ourselves.  First, we stare at God.  Read Revelation 5.  Why does absolutely every single being in heaven constantly lavish praise on God?  They can’t tell Him enough how holy He is.  They are in awe!  Yet, here on Earth there are so few who even think about Him.  Even among church people, they don’t give Him much consideration outside their own church services.  

I’m not saying I’m good at this myself . . . but I want to be.

Lord, there is no one like You!  I love staring at You this morning.  I love being out of selfie mode.  Yet, I know that within a couple of hours, I’ll be about the normal routine of life.  I hate how quickly I can let you slip from my mind.  I hate how quickly I can go into selfie mode.  Help me to stay focused on You.  Let my eyes be Your eyes, my hands be Your hands, and my feet be Your feet.  Help me remain focused on the needs of others and not just my own needs.  I’ve felt so much better considering the needs of others greater than my own.  I’ve even felt closer to You.  I’m more aware than ever just how little time I have left on this planet.  Months seem to go by so quickly.  Fill me Lord with the Holy Spirit that I might honor You for the rest of my life.  Amen!