Fasting from Facebook

I’m doing an experiment. I am going without Facebook and Twitter for a month. I have been told by a couple people they don’t think I can do it and I understand their reasoning for thinking so, however, aside from my other reason, proving them wrong has become a high priority.

So why am I doing it? A lot of people have asked this question to me and there are some reasons that no one could care less about but me. Actually, now that I think of it, I’m sure no one truly cares why I’m not on Facebook and Twitter anymore, but I’m sharing what I’m sharing anyway.

First reason is for school. It is so easy to neglect reading for English and Psychology, or have dual screens during math homework, and be on Facebook instead. I want to succeed in school. I want to pass with the highest grade I possibly can. I want to excel in this area in which I have not made a priority in the past. My education cannot be taken from me. In a society where government is taking control of so many things, they cannot take what I have learned. It also proves as a good reflection and testimony to Christ. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” That most certainly includes school. Being a Christ-follower, I am naturally put under a microscope, so excellence to the glory of Christ should be seen in every area, no matter how “trivial” it may be. Lastly, I want to excel for my siblings. I have five siblings underneath me and I want to be a good mirror for them. When the four youngest ones look at school, whether K-12 or college, I want them to see that doing your best and making school a priority helps and you can achieve so much.

Second reason is my walk with Christ. I have noticed how often I sit around and say, “I’m so busy, I barely have time to read the bible, pray or take time to invest in my sisters.” Today being the first day of this fast I can tell you how wrong that statement is. Most people, myself especially, get on Facebook when bored or trying to kill time. That being said, those 10, 15, 20 minutes that you are “killing time” you could be reading and studying scripture, praying for specific requests and/or friends, or calling up that person who has been on your heart/mind for days and checking in on them while encouraging them in their faith. We have been given 24 hours every day to use for the glory of God. I have seen Facebook be a great tool for that, until it becomes an idol that is taking time and attention away from the Lord. I was not using Facebook to the glory of God every time I would spend two or more hours looking at pictures, FB chatting, or reading status updates. It has become an idol in my life and one that it easily crushed. Matthew 18: 8-9 says, “And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.” By getting off of Facebook, it is a way of “cutting off and throwing away” the very thing that is keeping me from God and causing me to have idol time.

Third reason is a bit more personal, and in the midst of writing this very entry I realized that my blog is connected to Facebook, so even though I am not getting on, these posts will still show up. Henceforth, I will keep my third reason to myself.

At the end of this month I will make of list of the things I have learned about the Lord and myself during this fast and share. As new things are being revealed to me, I am writing them down. Today, as I have said, is day one and I have a few things already on that list. I am excited, scared and anxious to see what God has in store for me.