Redeem social media time

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

What’s the Problem

Relationships are hard, and our current living conditions make it fairly easy to avoid close relationships (houses not multi-generational, bedrooms not shared, communication done via device instead of face-to-face etc). On top of this, social media gives a quick hit of dopamine, while other activities require work. What incentive is there to engage face-to-face?

One of the primary reasons I created Disciple Together was to connect with others on our spiritual journey.

It started because I was obese. I found an approach to eating that really resonated for me, but it involves eating in a way that is quite different from those around me: I no longer eat sugar or flour, processed foods, I only eat at meal times, and I eat certain portions of each food group.

If I did not have a way to connect with others who also eat this way, the odds are stacked against me in maintaining this way of life. We are created for community, and doing something so radically different from my community puts me at the outskirts. The pressure to conform is very real, and has been proven in various studies

The community I am a part of is called Brightline Eating, and is such an encouragement. I start my day – every day – with some form of engagement with this community.

Basically, I wanted to take the same connection principles and apply them to my faith. We live in a world that isn’t always friendly to our values, unless perhaps we work, live and play exclusively in Christian communities.

I am working on creating various connection opportunities on Facebook and Marco Polo and I’d love for you to join us!

If you spend any amount of time on Facebook, I’m sure you know how easy it can be to waste time. We get easy dopamine from things like:

Learning that home hack that will save so much time and effort
Scoring that incredible deal on Marketplace
Getting our opinion heard in the latest community travesty

Scriptures

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corrinthians 13:4-7

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

why this matters

When we get a lot of dopamine in a short period of time, our dopamine receptors start to realize they are overloaded. In my simplified understanding, they prune back the receptors, which means that to experience the same ‘high’ we actually need more and more of that thing to produce the same good feeling. Hence, ‘doom scrolling’. (I love this term by the way – it’s so appropriate and helpful!)

God’s Good Design for us is that we come together to discover, disciple, and transform. And this takes some work. That’s how our brains were designed: to get some amount of dopamine after putting in some amount of work. I call this ‘earned dopamine’.

Simply bringing this to mind can help next time we realize we’re caught in the doom scroll. But here are some other small actions you can take anytime you find yourself not honouring God with your time:

Specifically, you want to move from the least interactive to the most. Here’s a handy chart:

foundations

We are a part of the body of Christ and each have an important and individual role
God commands us to love Him and love one another
We love Him and love others best when we are well
Jesus’ demonstration of love for us requires action and sacrifice

Disciple Together