Being Selfless in a Selfie Generation
Long gone are the days when we used our cameras to take pictures of our family and friends. I never asked someone to take a picture of me all alone. It was always me with my friends or me with my boy friend and later, my husband and family. Selfies didn’t exist then and cameras were too large and awkward to hold steady while taking a photo of ourself. My phone is too awkward to hold steady for me to take a selfie – so no fear – you won’t be seeing this gal – up close and personal!
How times have changed! Selfies have changed the way many people take photographs. We used the “selfie” opportunity to get all of us in the photo when we didn’t have an outsider to take the photo for us at our retreat on Saturday. My children have used it to get all of us in the photo for the same reason. Sometimes we just need to be US focused. But the true “selfie” is about me taking photos of ME! One celebrity said she takes 500 selfies before finding one she likes enough to post. Another article said the average teen takes 12 minutes per selfie, from preparing the shot to editing it. It really is a “ME” generation!
How is it that God gave us so many examples in the Bible so many years ago that are so relevant to our lives in this social media, high-tech world today? St. Paul wrote this: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit”. (Philippians 2:3)
Honestly, I am writing this blog today – not because of a selfie issue, but I like to stay in tune with the Holy Spirit enough to know when I’m letting pride sneak into my life. Pride is an enemy of our souls. I feel that gentle nudge when I’m overthinking what I’m going to wear for this or that occasion. Or if I had to have the last word in a conversation. Or, yes, I may be a guilty of over-checking my social media posts for “likes” or “loves”. All these admitted issues certainly feed the pride in my life. I sense it and I have to repent when I’ve fallen prey to those snares of the enemy. I didn’t finish the Philippians 2:3 scripture above – the second part says “rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.” Did Paul know what we would be doing in this day and time? It sure sounds like it, doesn’t it?, He’s telling us to be more interested in focusing on valuing others.
“Humility isn’t thinking less of ourselves. It’s thinking of ourselves less.” The more we put the spotlight on others, the happier and more fulfilled we’ll become. Maybe instead of selfies, we should turn outward to others and smile, not for a selfie, but so others who need to be valued, could sure use that smile today!