For the last three years, I have blogged about Busy Nothings. I don't know if I will continue in 2013 - but that's one of the things that I'll be considering as I unplug for the Christmas holiday. I don't say that to elicit comments, but more as a means of leaving the door open for something new in the future.
This Friday, I pull the plug on my social media work for clients, and I don't return until January 2nd. I'll be honest, after the last few weeks of bad news, I'm quite looking forward to taking a break from social media.
As I shared on Friday, the last few weeks have been full of emotion. In our personal circle of acquaintances, one woman has buried her husband, and another is making plans to do so in the not-too-distant future. One look at the news is enough to see more than I want to of the evilness of mankind, and the depravity of society as a whole.
I'm tired of political correctness, of the mass hysteria about gun control, of the insensitive people who continued to self-promote while the other half of this country wept over their computer keyboards. I'm tired of trying to squeeze my faith into 140 characters.
I'm giving up on self-promoting a book that isn't selling, a blog that isn't growing, and an idea that may or may not take off. You see, what the last few weeks have brought into focus for me is that where people spend eternity matters. Social media does not.
Can God use social media to bring honor and glory to Him? Of course He can! God can, will, and does use everything and every person to fulfill His purpose. Just look at how He used Pharaoh, or consider the words of Romans 9:23, "What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the objects of His mercy whom he prepared in advance for glory."
The key for me is that I don't want to be so busy promoting myself and my social media outlets that I forget that they are just tools. I am grateful for a job that allows me to work from home, but perhaps the time I spend online for pay is enough for me. Maybe it's time to step back from my personal use of social media and focus instead of what God seems to be doing in my offline life.
So where does that leave Busy Nothings? Well, I may be back after January 2nd. Perhaps a break from the constant updates is all I need to refresh and refocus. I may not be back - spending time away from it all may remind me of the world outside. Only time will tell.
This is the time of the year that people talk about goals, so let me share mine right now: My goal for 2013 is to be used by God, for His service and glory, whenever and wherever possible, online and off.
What are your goals for 2013?
I love keeping up with you via your social media, but I get what you are saying. I'm right there with you. I've realized this year that social media has kept me from the things I WANT to do. There are things that I SAY are important, but when I looked at where I spent my time (Facebook, blog, etc) it didn't match up. I've definitely stopped spending time on my blog, cut back on the blogs I spend time reading, and try to be on facebook less. I'd really like to totally quit facebook, but struggle with feeling like I'd be obsolete and out of touch if I did. Who knows....
ReplyDeleteAt any rate, you hit on something I've been thinking about for awhile. Enjoy your break :)
Good post and thoughts, C. These are age old questions that many people are afraid to ask themselves. Where am I going and why? What does success look like to me? Who do I serve and how can I do that best?
ReplyDeleteHave a restful and joyful break.
Vaya con Dios :)
Will pray that you find clarity and peace as you make this decision.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Carrie! Counting the hours until I get to be ONLY ME on social media! WOO HOOOOOOOOO
thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a sweet comment! I hope you stay a while!
ReplyDeleteI understand what you are saying and completely agree with the need to refresh, refocus and gain a new perspective. But I also want to encourage you that you don't necessarily have to throw in the towel to do so. You can take a step back if needed but something you wrote really struck me and I wanted to share my perspective. You wrote
ReplyDelete"I'm giving up on self-promoting a book that isn't selling, a blog that isn't growing, and an idea that may or may not take off. You see, what the last few weeks have brought into focus for me is that where people spend eternity matters. Social media does not."
My perspective is that your book may not be selling and your blog may not be growing like you desire them to and eternity DOES matter (it really is the only thing that matters). But you bless people with your blog, you encourage, uplift and you point people towards Jesus and you use social media to do it. So like you said, it's a tool, one that you use well to encourage people to dwell on things that do matter such as eternity. I would be sad to see you go as I enjoy reading it very much, and enjoy your personal FB posts. Maybe you could just write as God leads and not make a daily or weekly "to do" item. (and just so you know my kids read and reread your book!! They LOVE it!)
Love your thoughts Carrie. I'm so sorry to hear there had been so much grieving in your personal circle of friends lately. I can understand your thoughts. I've had a lot the same thoughts to. I do hope you'll carry on in the new year but that you have a really good solid break over the holidays, peaceful and heating from God as to you're direction in 2013. Loved Sophie xx
ReplyDeleteKatie said everything I wanted to say (and said it better than I could have today), so I'll just ditto her...very strongly!
ReplyDeleteI can identify with the weariness (for lack of a better word) that comes with blogging, which is part of the reason I'm grateful that my blog is mostly to keep my family and friends updated on our lives, and even then I still cop out frequently and just post pictures (or don't post at all). :)
And Mashed Potatoes is my son's favorite book at the moment, right up there with his copies of Jabberwocky and Tikki Tikki Tembo. And he insisted we buy a copy for his cousin for Christmas. So we did. :)