Built to Be Liked or Called to Be Whole?

I was having a conversation not too long ago about social media. A young person was asking me why I strongly recommend that they stay out of social media at least until they have fully developed their identity in Christ.

As a coach and entrepreneur, I’ve seen a lot behind the scenes from well-known individuals, influencers, and others. I’m one of the ones they contact when their world is falling apart.

What I can tell you with certainty is that most will post heavily curated content that supports the narrative they want you to have about them. Many also get trapped in only posting content that earns them more likes and follows. Yet inside, they’re desperate for change, some so defeated that suicide watch has to be activated.

Social media has given a voice to people who do not know who they are, are often miserable with their own existence, and are so bitter that all they can spew is toxicity. And these people are often loud and domineering, giving a false appearance of authority. They bully others into submission. Those that succumb to their. pressure is often driven to even more distress and cognitive dissonance than what they experienced before.

Before you chase, you have to know what it is you’re chasing.
Before you build, you must know what the building will hold, how it will be used, and what its capacity will be. If not, you’ll find yourself with something that looks nice but serves no purpose to you or the journey God placed you on this earth for.

As someone who has been involved in social media marketing and manages over a dozen accounts for various ventures, with thousands of followers, I can say this with certainty. Most people who follow you on social media do so for entertainment. The minute you no longer serve their purpose or you post a truth they didn’t want to hear, they unfollow, block, etc. If you base your value on that, you will eventually end up questioning your worth and value as a person.

You must get to that place where you post out of authenticity. Where you build and show up as God made you to be. With the courage to stand alone if the tide turns. Faithful to the calling on your life, not the applause. Now, it doesn’t mean being rude and cruel to people. It means don’t compromise in order to appease a guilty conscience. You speak when God says speak, and when God says be silent, you’re ok with not posting for months. Because you don’t live to feed an algorithm. You live to grow your soul.