Having recently observed some causalities in social media wars, I have been pondering what the best use of social media is.
Is is to promote yourself? Your blog? Your product?
Is it to say things in the stratosphere that you would never say to a person's face?
Is it to share news and views?
I think these are all decent uses of FB, twitter, google+ and such. I think the boldness that social media has engendered in our generation is not always a negative. I think using social media to keep in touch with friends and family is a great thing.
My friend Elizabeth wrote a great post on What Should a Christian do with Social Media? I will only recap it here, but it is very good, and you should take time to read it. Basically a Christian's use of social media is bound by the same criteria a Christian's words and actions are. Is it loving? Is is pure? Is it in its proper place?
In my post protesting symbiotic blogging, I outlined my goals for my three main branches of social media, Twitter, FB and Pinterest. Since I focused on Pinterest last week, I am going to take today to share one of my favorite uses for Twitter.
I have a 20-80 framework that I try to use for all my tweets. 20% promotion of my blog, and 80% for connecting with people as friends, promoting other's endeavors, and tweeting inspiration. Sometimes the inspirational quotes I tweet are simply retweets of things others have posted.
But, my most favorite inspiration to tweet is Scripture.
Why?
Scripture is always true. No matter the time or circumstances. It is God's Word. So, amidst tweeted notifications, and blog links, the noise and the giveaways, Scripture is there shining its beacon of unchanging truth in a very fluid medium.
Another reason I really like tweeting Scripture is the encouragement it provides. Truths about God, and His promises. Truths about people. Very uplifting.
My third, and favorite reason for tweeting Scripture is that is seems meant for it. I am sure David's mind would be blown at how many of his psalms fit perfectly in a 140 word tweet. Seems like fate...
Whom have I in heaven but Thee? There is none on earth I desire besides Thee.
The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want.
The Lord is my Light & my Salvation. The Lord is the strength of my Life.
How excellent is thy lovingkindness oh God! The children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
Be still & know that I am God. I will be exalted in the earth.
When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.
Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
Its not just Psalms that contains tweet able tidbits. All of the poetry books are great...Try some humdingers from Song of Solomon-or not.
Or how about simple truths from the gospels or epistles? Truths that encourage, challenge and inspire.
The fields are white for harvest. Pray the Lord to send forth reapers.
Come to me, all ye who are weary & heavy laden, & I will give you rest.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one & only Son.
This is my go-to policy on Twitter. To share these truths with those who follow me. Maybe they aren't believers, maybe they are. Maybe some will be offended, but I think more will be encouraged. For fun, I like to use/make up the hashtags #truth, #Bible, #Godspromises, #Psalms, etc..
Maybe tweeting Scripture hasn't been your thing. My challenge to you is to try it today. Pick a verse that stood out to you in your devotions and tweet it.
What are you going to tweet today?
