Why Facebook?

I thought I would blog about why I am on Facebook and how the Lord is using FB in my own life. I get SO many questions or comments about the number of "friends" I have on FB - it's at 585 as of this morning. Some people think it's amazing that I know that many people, others think that perhaps I shouldn't have that many, and still others just wonder in general.

First of all, let me preface before going any farther - this is MY reasoning, and what the Lord has laid on MY heart. It is not for everyone, but I am praying that by sharing my "why" of FB the Lord may reveal some area or tool you are to be using.

Ok - I will be completely honest here. I FIRST got on FB to socialize with some youth in Arkansas and then started to see others I knew on there. My initial reason was to "connect" with our youth. However, it didn't take long for me to realize that FB could be dangerous! Yes - dangerous. I could partake in gossip, slander, being judgemental, complaining, etc. and I did/do at times if I am not careful.

One night, I was pondering FB and how it was a tool of the world so I began to pray about it and truly seek the face of God as to whether I should be on it or not and this is what I received:
"Ronnie, you can choose to use FB for my glory, or you can choose to just be another person on it. You can reach out to people or you can decide to use it to vent, complain, gossip, etc." This hit me hard! After much prayer and seeking I decided that I wanted to use FB for the glory of my King! I wanted to be a light in a dark world!!!

This has not come without cost - just as any time we choose to obey God and do what He has called us to do. I have had people criticize me for being on it, question me, I have seen lots of posts containing language that I don't appreciate and I am daily tempted to use it to whine and complain or gossip. Yet - I chose to obey God.

It has been my goal, no I don't always succeed, to daily post a scripture or spiritual truth on my FB status that will hopefully challenge or encourage someone on FB. I want to know that whoever "befriends" me will at least come across one scripture each day as they log on to FB. I want to be the light in the darkness and provide hope to those who are hurting. This is why I have 585 friends - I do not deny any request because I am not to decide who the Lord brings across my path on FB. There have been times in my flesh that I have gotten mad or hurt and deleted someone - however EVERY time the Lord has brought them back to my heart and I have added them back.

There are those that have deleted me for various reasons - yes it hurts at times. However, I have to remember that my identity is not found in who "friends" me on FB. My identity is found in my Lord and my King. He has called me, He has chosen me, and He loves me just the way I am.

For me, FB is also an evangelism tool. In my day to day life I honestly don't know very many who are lost (I'm working on this) but on FB - SO MANY are lost without Christ! I try to be relavent and yet bring Truth. Yes, I try to relate by posting things my kids do or say, or just little tidbits about my day so that people realize even though we are in ministry - we are normal just like them. It has been assumed that because the majority of my posts are "positive" we have a perfect life or we are not willing to admit that we struggle or that we are "too good", etc. This of course is not the case. The reason I try really hard to not post those things (and now that I am blogging this I have to be more accountable) is that FB is NOT ABOUT ME in my case. The Lord brought it into my path as a tool to be used for Him and His glory. He has challenged me with this and at the moment that I make it all about me - I need to delete it and get rid of it.

So this is why I am on FB, this is why there are verses at least once a day (or I try), this is why I have 585 friends. My challenge to you - what is the Lord calling YOU to do? What in your life can be used for His glory and His Kingdom? Find whatever it is and use it for HIM. Yes, you will be criticized, judged possibly, and even put down by other believers (I certainly have had my share of Christians tell me I shouldn't FB or even blog)- but be obedient to Him and step out there and do it!