Monday, April 27, 2015

MY SELFIE


OK, let's just say that I am not a social media queen.

I am not on Facebook.  Neither am I "linked in."  I do not tweet, smartchat, flickr, or instagram.  (Though I have been known to google).  I am not a tumblr.  And, silly me, I still think "meerkat" is a cute wild animal, and "periscope" is something on a submarine.  Evidently I am not a very pinteresting person.  

My blog is my one shining example of staying current with the times.

But, I admit, I do like taking photos with my *intelligent* phone.

And I have been known to spy on look at other peoples' photos.  I especially like the people who post publicly.  This allows me to watch their lives unfold without the commitment of joining anything.  (Kinda like buying a gallon of ice cream and then hiding all the spoons so you don't have to commit to eating it).

Some people take really interesting photos.  Like small pieces of portable art, they are colorful, exotic, beautiful, dynamic.  Some people are very talented, even with a phone.  Other people are just silly.

Really, is there any need to post something every day?

And really, is it necessary to bombard the internet with copious amounts of selfies?

(Interesting sidenote: The term "selfie" was discussed by photographer Jim Krause in 2005…Initially popular with young people, selfies gained wider popularity over time.  By the end of 2012, Time magazine considered selfie one of the "top 10 buzzwords" of that year; although selfies had existed long before, it was in 2012 that the term "really hit the big time." – From Wikipedia)


People enjoy selfies because of the control they give self-photographers over how they present themselves.  Therefore, selfies are normally flattering. Well, duh.  And, don't get me started on celebrity selfies. 

But really, I have to ask…how self-absorbed can we get?

Now I'm not knocking the innocuous fun of most of social networking. But then again, I think it's a symptom of the general disease of human nature.

We are rather enamored with ourselves – with our SELVES.

It occurs to me that this preoccupation with self was the root of the first *fall from grace.*  

Can't you see Lucifer snapping selfie after selfie as he admired his beauty? Thinking that he was "all that" he toppled himself right out of heaven.

Then there's that second *fall from grace.*

Adam and Eve, again focusing on themselves, fell into the trap of self-aggrandizement and pride.  After their terrible sin, I'm not thinking that any selfies were taken.  They would have been too unflattering to the human race.


But, we must not point any fingers.

After all, here we are, so many years later, suffering from the same fixations.

Humans are an interesting bunch.

We can be narcissistic or self-loathing.  We can be egotistical or lack self-esteem.  We can be self-sacrificing or selfish.

Sometimes, even as believers, things can be confusing.

We are taught to die to self, and yet to love our neighbor as ourselves.  We are unworthy to achieve eternal life on our own, but we are worth saving.  We are taught to turn the other cheek, and love our enemies, and yet told to stand firm against opposing forces.

We can be prideful – even in self-deprecating ways.

I don't think I'd like to see a selfie of my heart.


Fortunately, there is an alternative.

There is another view.

And it was accomplished on a cold and dismal day when Someone hung from the cross.  And later, when He triumphantly walked out of a tomb.

Can you imagine if Jesus posted a couple of selfies on those days?

One a picture of unspeakable horror and suffering and pain.  A gloomy portrait.  Singularly unflattering.  

And then, a couple of days later, another photo full of glorious light.  A glowing Savior's face.  A miracle of joy.  

The most beautiful picture ever taken.


So, as we negotiate the crazy world of social media, let's be mindful of our tendencies and preoccupations.

Let's remember that *self-ease* can only come by believing in the One who paid the price to redeem us from ourselves – our SELVES.

Let's remember that though we are unworthy of His grace and forgiveness, He deemed us eminently worth saving.

Let's remember that we are not "all that"but neither are we wretched worms.

Our true selfie can only be found by viewing ourselves through the lens of Jesus' righteousness. 

And only by following Him, can we ever hope to look like Him…

His selfie.

The most beautiful picture ever taken.





"Selfie Incognito"



"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe." (Ephesians 1:18-19, NASB)

"For God, who said, 'Let there be light in the darkness,' has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6, NLT)

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.  For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

"Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2, ESV)

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." 
(1 Corinthians 13:12, ESV)

"'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.'" (Matthew 5:8, ESV)

"Even after my skin is destroyed, 
Yet from my flesh I shall see God; 
Whom I myself shall behold, 
And whom my eyes will see and not another.  
My heart faints within me!"

(Job 19:26-27, NASB)


"I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes." (Job 42:5, NLT)




He must become greater, I must become less.
For God so loved me...




How do you view your *self*?  How does looking through the eyes of Jesus change your perspective?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, MAKE A DIFFERENCE MONDAYS, MOTIVATE & REJUVENATE MONDAYS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, SOLI DEO GLORIA, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, FIND STABILITY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, UNITE, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAY, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, LIVING PROVERBS, TUESDAY TALKRA RA LINKUP, TELL HIS STORYA LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, WISE WOMAN, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WOMEN WITH INTENTION WEDNESDAYS, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, GRACE AT HOME, BELOVED BREWS, EVERYDAY JESUS, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, SHINE, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, LIGHT FRIDAY HIT LIST, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, A GROUP LOOK, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, GRACE & TRUTH, TGI SATURDAYS, DANCE WITH JESUS, SATURDAY SOIREE, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND BREW, GIVE ME GRACERECOMMENDATION SATURDAY, SUNDAY STILLNESS



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

52 comments:

  1. I have my blog. I am on LinkedIn (but not really sure why). I don't FB, Tweet, or any other form of social media. I'm a dinosaur I reckon. I like it that way. I have no desire to be consumed by media when i would much rather be riding my bike or reading a book. I don't even like having my picture taken that is why I have a caricature of myself on my blog. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sharon, I like have you so masterfully weaved our fascination with social media with a even bigger lesson of redemption from ourselves. As a introvert the sea of social media can be overwhelming yet it can be a wonderful tool when used wisely.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Smiling this morning at your whole description, how true it all is. Love your incognito selfie pic!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Sharon! What a fun play on words between 'selfie' and 'self-ease'. I like that!
    I am on FB and Twitter, but sometimes I wonder why. I just can't go further than that, after a while it just becomes too time consuming. If we are connected to our loved ones, what more do we need?

    Nice selfie by the way!! I like the idea of selfie incognito. I'm a bit shy about photos, but I love sharing them with my family and friends. They're the ones who would care anyway :)
    Blessings for a great week,
    Ceil

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sharon, I can still see your beautiful smile in your incognito "selfie" :)

    Love this entire media blitz ... (which you know I too do not fully participate in all the social media forms nor do I desire) ... your thoughts throughout with flip sides on each. I so agree with Sonja ... I would have written the same. We have gone overboard with our SELVES in my humble opinion.

    I marvel at the way you weighed and balanced each controversial statement. (checks & balance, eh?) Such dichotomies! This "selfie" stuff and entitlement of this generation is quite selfish as is our society. (sigh) I personally try to stay away from my "self---ie" and not focus there but tip the balance scale from one end to the other when viewing me. I definitely need Jesus' perspective.

    Jesus changes every.thing!

    Love and blessings,
    Peggy

    {you was just showing off with all those social media terms, right? 'Cuz I'm unaware of most of them and their meaning---wink, wink}

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I actually had to go "google" some of them to see what I've been missing (again). No surprise. I've lost track of everything for the last 20 yrs. of my life like our house fire had wiped out my earlier yrs. Too much in the public eye. I even wonder how much of my private life can be seen without my knowledge. (just sayin') --- I had to add this. I quite outdated, I guess ... don't even have one of those "smart" phones but I did give in as you know to that "smart" tv, which still is not all that "smart" but I gotta believe it's the operator, not the operation --- just not knowing the how-to

      Delete
  6. Although I am snickering at your very unique selfie, I am also contemplating the seriousness of your play on words. You are a master at it, my friend! I do facebook and my blog. Facebook keeps me connected to my far away family and I have reconnected with old friends which has been such a blessing. I am a little camera shy as well...I take lots and lots of photos but I am rarely in them...I like it better that way :) You are so right on though...we live in a VERY self-absorbed world and sometimes it breaks my heart...and I have no doubt it breaks our Lord's heart too. Another fantastic and timely post, Sharon. Have a blessed week!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Pure awesomeness...that's you! I love this post, Google Girl. Btw, have you considered Google+? IT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT AUDIENCE FROM TWITTER/FB, ETC. I enjoy some great authors and bloggers who share their writing there. Uplifting. Discipline is key in social media, I think. Facebook is something I control carefully and find it a positive way to stay close to my brothers in the midwest. I've had some healing too in relationships I lost track of over the years. And someday when you and I meet in person and have that coffee in "stemmed" glassware, I'll tell you the amazing story of how I forgave my old high school sweetheart who dissed me right before the prom. We're actually good friends...now. So that's the upside. But for the life of me I can't of anything positive about selfies. You nailed it and gave me the chills. Thank you for encouraging me.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Loved your blog. I have to be careful with self examination, cause I can throw myself in a pit real quick. I need to stay in Jesus and remember the Truth of His Word. Confess it to myself.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh, how I laughed and loved your selfie. I can never get the angle right--either I'm looking up into my nostrils or my eyes are looking at a strange unknown place. I've been thinking about self-promotion/Jesus promotion this week since that's the place I am in the book we are studying. And asking myself hard questions of my intent in blogging and social media. I"m trying to decrease so Jesus can increase.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Only by following Him can we ever hope to look like Him.....so very true. Great thoughts here. I can see myself as greater, or thinner than I am 😊 or as not being enough. Depends on what I'm believing. Lately I see myself as a daughter of the King. King Jesus! Nothing without Him, everything with and through Him!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Very thoughtful post! Thank you! I love that you point out the tension between these thoughts: "We are taught to die to self, and yet to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are unworthy to achieve eternal life on our own, but we are worth saving. We are taught to turn the other cheek, and love our enemies, and yet told to stand firm against opposing forces." And I love that you bring us back to the proper lens. It was very thought-provoking to hear you discuss what selfies of Jesus would look like and very sobering to think of one of our hearts. Blessings to you from "Espressos of Faith" via #MakeaDifferenceMondays!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Our church is doing a #selfie series so we can examine our selfies. Its been pretty amazing. Thank you for the smile!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I do have a camera that is seldom used, but a smart phone no. I can see those eyes smiling through those dark glasses and what a cute way to illustrate a selfie. I had to chuckle about Lucifer taking selfies of himself. It is a shame that cameras and cell phones were not around when Jesus was on earth. We can only see him in our imagination. Thanks for sharing your lovely post with us here at Tell me a Story.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sharon, before I even clicked on the thumbnail over at The Beauty in His Grip, I knew it was you. I guess I've read enough of your posts to know your sense of humor, much like my own. I just love this post, and your "selfie incognito!" It's funny, cutting, sarcastic and boy, does it hit home with the powerful punch about Jesus taking selfies. The visuals...you may not "do" Facebook, but I do, and I'm sharing this one!

    ReplyDelete
  15. So true that we think we are all that, good reminder for us not to be too consumed with ourselves and to put the focus and the glory on Jesus for everything we have and everything we are. I do Facebook for family mainly but rarely post pictures of myself on that. Can't seem to get into Twitter or the other ones either, who has time for it all?

    betty

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sharon, you are so gifted at drawing these profound parallels in everyday life, and doing so with a sense-of-humor and honesty many of us can relate to. Thank you - and I love the "selfie incognito."

    ReplyDelete
  17. I hate having my picture taken and don't know if I've ever taken a selfie. I love yours! I wonder what a selfie of my heart would look like. Would it look like Jesus? You've given me something to think about...

    I hope you can stop by:

    http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2015/04/family-time-beautiful-saturday-weather.html

    Colletta

    ReplyDelete
  18. BTW, what is meerkat and periscope? I guess I"m behind the times too!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sharon, you always make me laugh. It's fun to read your lovable rants! Couldn't remember your site address and hadn't noticed your stuff for a while on linkups, so I asked God to help me stumble upon your site again. That was a couple days ago, and here we are. God is good! Have a great day. : )

    ReplyDelete
  20. My precious, sweet, beautiful friend, II love you, just as you are.

    ReplyDelete
  21. :) I like this. A lot. You have me thinking, thinking, thinking over here. (Thank you for that.)

    I love your intro, very funny! (There's something called a meercat and it's not an animal?! I am behind on the times too!)

    ReplyDelete
  22. You nailed it again, Sharon. Uhhh, the thought of a selfie of the heart… almost makes me nauseas thinking about it. Pride is an ugly thing… and if that trait is present - God isn't.

    Excellent and convicting post, sister.

    And that picture is too hilarious!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ha. I love your selfie incognito! :) Beautiful.

    This thought scared me: "I don't think I'd like to see a selfie of my heart." Me, either. Thankful we don't have to! I'll take the covering of grace over my heart any day, every day!

    (If this posts twice, I'm sorry! I don't see the first comment showing up.)

    ReplyDelete
  24. The idea of that dirty little snake in the garden taking a selfie conjured up quite an image for me. A good reminder to keep the main thing the main thing. Jesus, the name above all names!

    ReplyDelete
  25. LOVE this!! I truly think this might be my new favorite, but I have been know to say that before, so... I loved the twist of the term "self-ease". I loved how you brought it to self-deprecation That's a sin that dogs me. I would tell you how wretched that makes me feel, but that would pretty much negate the teaching of this post. I loved most of all how you talked about the selfie that Christ would have taken when He thought nothing at all of his self but only of me.

    I have missed your words. It has been dark in the tomb.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I actually had to look up Meerkat and Periscope after reading this. Thank you for these reminders. We should constantly remind ourselves that it's not about us. It's all about Him. Hopping over from Word Filled Wednesday.

    ReplyDelete
  27. In this world of "selfies" it is refreshing to be reminded that it is not all about us but all about Jesus who gave His all. Thanks so much for sharing. Visiting from the Woman to Woman Link Up.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love your incognito selfie! Yes, we are a self absorbed lot, aren't we? I'm so glad our Father God was absorbed with us, so much so that He planned our redemption before the foundation of the world. What love!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love the ways social media connects people and provides opportunities that spill over into real, everyday life. But, yes, all the social media can make us an even more self-absorbed generation. For me, I've found I can operate on some in a healthy way but certainly can't do it all. The balance was important for me to find. Thanks for sharing at #ThreeWordWednesday.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love your posts and how you give me another way of looking at things. Thank you so much for sharing at Waiting on...Wednesday!

    Holly
    www.iwillservewhileiwait.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Glad you put your selfie in this post, it's such a clear picture of you...hehe.
    Good post Sharon.
    It occurs to me that this preoccupation with self was the root of the first *fall from grace.* Now that statement will preach...

    ReplyDelete
  32. Sharon, you CRACK ME UP! Your "Selfie Incognito" is hysterical. Love it and you so much!!!

    I must admit that I have a love/hate relationship with Social Media. but I find that it is a great tool for sharing the Gospel, and the Lord has opened up doors for me to use my gifts for His glory through this medium. My goal is to point to Him and not say "Look at me! Look at me!" through my online connections.

    On a side note, I would share that I am the Social Media Manager for Missional Women, and I had NO IDEA what Meekrat and Periscope were. So, you schooled me in this area -- I spent some time googling and reading up before making this comment. Ha! :)

    Thanks for linking up to Thought-Provoking Thursday! I look forward to visiting with you every week. xo



    ReplyDelete
  33. Sharon, I think I pushed the wrong button and lost my previous comment. That shows how computer savvy I am! I thought of 2 Corinthians 3:18 as I read your post and was delighted to see you'd included it. I enjoyed how you creatively connected a current phenomenon with timeless truth. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I loved your "selfie"! Great post about who should really be shining in our lives. :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. I admit I'm partial to social media, especially Pinterest. But I do agree about the selfies. I took a picture of myself once because I was on vacation and no one was around. But I don't think I posted it anywhere. Just sent it to my husband. Great post. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Such good points about the selfie phenomenon. I think younger generations (and I'm a part of one) are getting increasingly self-absorbed. I think about my kids growing up in such a narcissistic world, and it's a little overwhelming. Thanks for the biblical perspective!

    ReplyDelete
  37. I don't think I'd like to take a selfie of my heart, either So thankful that Jesus has ours in full view, however, and still loves us. What a Savior!
    Your opening was fun, Sharon. It brought a smile and a chuckle for this Friday...sweet! Visiting via #DancewithJesus

    ReplyDelete
  38. I'm trying to remember if I have ever posted a selfie...my instagram and facebook are pretty much filled with pictures of my sweet little Rebekah - but you make great points with this post. Beautifully written and has given me lots to think about :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. I think most of us, if honest, harbor those same weaknesses in our hearts, even if we don't post them on the internet daily. But, yeah, I tend to not like copious selfie taking.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Wonderful post Sharon, thank you for taking the time to link up at Good Morning Mondays. You are right these days everything seems to be about us when it should be about God. Blessings

    ReplyDelete
  41. This is wonderful... such good and challenging thoughts. Thank you so much. :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Sharon, thank you for sharing this post on #FindStability. Such awesome stable truths. Love your "selfie" too. :-) Blessings

    ReplyDelete
  43. You really hit a nerve with this post! I am not into selfies personally but just sharing life on social media can be very self-serving. We have become so accustomed to this self absorption that we don't even seem to notice it but this also speaks of not remembering the whole reason why we are here on this Earth to begin with. Great post! Thank you for sharing this at The Weekend Brew.

    ReplyDelete
  44. And this, my friend-- is why we ditched our smart phones. (that and they were expensive!) we have old school flip phones again that barely take pics!

    I do the social media thing, but rarely post pics because it doesn't work so hot using an ipad. But I totally agree that our culture is incredibly self centered and we really need to focus on Christ, as Himself(ie)

    PS: Love your incognito selfie. Hilarious

    ReplyDelete
  45. So thankful that I am viewed through the lens of Jesus' righteousness. On my own, I am lost. I am amazed at the number of selfies people post. Frankly, I'd much rather be the one taking photos of other people. I loved your selfie. I also linked up with Bonnie of Faith Barista and was glad to recognize your name and photo although incognito. Loved it.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  46. OH Sharon this is so, so good! You make me laugh and think deeply all in the same minute. Thank you for your heart and for spreading great messages week after week.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I had to chuckle at your "selfie"!!! Oh, my, this is adorable! You are SO right in all you said...we are SO consumed with ourselves. That is one of the main reasons I have never felt "clearance" on a spiritual level to get into facebook and many of the other social media sites. It is all about "self" promotion...it just doesn't feel right to me. Call me old-fashioned, but I just prefer remaining mostly anonymous!! LOL! I so enjoyed your words, as always. Hope all is well with you...praying for you, sweet friend. :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. I like what you did with selfies - self-ease... I like that!

    I've thought of this on numerous occasions and I am hip deep in social media and have firmly declared that I'm done... no more platforms! There's too many and too much information and too many ways to "connect".

    Such a thought-provoking post... with a fabulous selfie at the end.

    Thanks for sharing and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop!

    Wishing you a lovely day.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  49. I had to Google the new meaning of Meerkat and Periscope to know what you were talking about....LOL! I do like Facebook and use Instagram when I travel to share some photos. I've actually had it with selfies, drives me crazy. Maybe it's because I can't take a decent one! Love your selfie.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Very thought provoking words, and it seems we've been drinking from the same well. I recently took a sabbatical from FB, due to so many people posting constantly and sharing personal things that I really don't want to know and can't understand why they would choose to share such things with virtual strangers. Sheesh. I mainly post pics of my granddaughter, and I do enjoy keeping up with old friends. Other than that, I hate social media. Thanks for reminding me again why. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  51. "We can be narcissistic or self-loathing. We can be egotistical or lack self-esteem. We can be self-sacrificing or selfish."

    I am a selfie junkie. I am all of the things above.

    ReplyDelete

"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)