Why I Gave Up Facebook for Lent

In 2009 I went to an Acts 29 boot camp and Christin who writes The Joy of Pregnancy and Other Lies (a blog that you simply must follow for the laughs and her transparency) led one of the sessions in the wives track. Afterwards she graciously became my 'friend' on Facebook. I'm really thankful for the ability to connect with wise ministry wives across the miles but the fact it that in real life Christin and I aren't really friends. I would love for us to be,  but with me living in Florida and her living in North Carolina, I don't expect that to happen anytime soon.

I wasn't going to share my lenten fast publicly but when I learned that Christin had given up all social media for Lent, I knew I wanted to stand with her in virtual solidarity. I've wanted to fast Facebook for several years and either didn't have the guts or couldn't make it happen as I also do the social networking for the national church planting arm of the organization I work with. But due to a series of events I knew this was the year to go for it. The caveat is that unlike Christin I am only giving up Facebook. I still have access to Twitter and Hootsuite for work.

Why did I give up Facebook for Lent? In short, I was sinning. Let me be clear, I don't think Facebook or any other social media tools are evil. I believe they're tools that can certainly be used for good and even to advance the message of the Gospel.  But when you take a "good thing and make it into God thing" that is the definition of idolatry. And that my friends is what I had done with Facebook. I wasted innumerable amounts of time perusing my online friends' statuses. I logged in when I was bored, procrastinating, or even when I was too tired to even care what folks were up to byt wanted to be entertained.

So here I am a few weeks into lent and I've been essentially Facebook free. In case you're in the middle of the same fast or considering taking a social media hiatus, allow me to share some resources that have been helpful to me during this season:

1. Jennifer over at Family Musings posted a link (on Facebook) a few weeks ago to Unfriend Yourself. The author meant for this book to be used for a three day fast but I've been using it over the course of Lent to ask myself some meaningful questions about my Facebook use.
2.  Relevant posted The Forgotten Half of Fasting which is a great reminder during Lent and also what I've been struggling with most.
3. And in case you haven't read it already be sure to check out Christin's Check Yo' Self Before You Wreck Yo' Self. She is honest with her own social media struggles and brilliantly entertaining as alway

What are you personal feelings regarding social media? Is it something you struggle with or is it an outlet to escape your daily struggles?