I was thirteen years old, loving life, and desperately trying to grab a certain guy’s attention.
After a full week at church camp, I was hanging out in the sports court waiting for my parents to pick me up.
I knew at any moment my ride would pull into the parking, so I had to act quick.
With a knot in my stomach and my eyes on my guy, I made a move. I walked up to Brandon, pulled out my personal wallet sized portrait, and handed it to him.
No shame. No regrets. I wanted him to notice me.
He, being the somewhat sweet thirteen-year-old boy that he was, took my “selfie” and complimented my picture. He responded exactly the way that I’d hoped. He “liked” and “commented” and I was feeling oh-so-good for the moment.
My Heart Motivation
Looking back on that scenario, I so clearly see my heart motivation. My main motivation in giving Brandon my “selfie” was to make me feel good.
I wanted affirmation. I wanted attention. I wanted his approval.
My “selfie” was my way to get what I wanted.
I can’t help but assume that at least some of you can relate to my story. You may not be passing out wallet sized self-portraits (that would be a little bit awkward in our day), but in a much more modern way, you might be doing a similar thing.
Step Back and Rethink the Selfie
Awhile back I came across a selfie of a Christian teen girl. The selfie was focused on the girl’s body and her face was mostly cropped out. She was wearing a tight/revealing outfit and the selfie seemed to focus on her curves.
I wouldn’t have thought much about the selfie, considering these sorts of pictures are totally the norm these days, but her description left me puzzled. Underneath her selfie, she had several quotes sand verses talking about the Lord and rejoicing in His goodness.
This Left Me Totally Confused
I wondered, “How in the world does a selfie like that help me (or anyone else seeing the picture) focus on the Lord? Is this girl totally clueless, or, is she using the verse to try and somehow justify her picture?”
I wish this picture were an isolated case, but it’s not.
These types of selfies have become so common that I feel like I have to talk about this.
Girls, why are we posting pictures on social media that scream, “look at me! Look at my cute outfit! Look at my hot body! Look at how pretty I am! Look at my cute little bottom!”
We need to take a step back and ask ourselves why we feel the need to chase down attention in this way.
Is our confidence and security in Christ so low that we feel the need to grasp for it through temporary attention on Social Media?
Do we really think that our seductive selfies will point others to the Lord if we tack a verse underneath them?
I think it’s high time we re-evaluate our photo filtering system and our hearts.
Instead of spending hours trying to grab that perfect selfie, let’s take a few minutes to put our posting habits through this filter.
This is what I like to call the “Seflie Heart Filter.”
This filter of questions will help you determine which pictures to post and which pictures to ditch. If your picture makes it through the end of the filtering system with flying colors, I would say post it.
If the filter makes it clear that you are posting to get affirmation and attention (and you are using the picture to attain that) then I would say ditch it.
Selfie Heart Filter:
- Why do I want people to see this picture?
- Will I be disappointed if I don’t get a certain number of likes and/or comments?
- How many times am I planning to check the status of likes on the picture?
- Will I be sad if a certain person doesn’t like or comment on this picture?
- Will Christ be honored by the way I’m presenting myself in this picture?
If your picture makes it through the selfie heart filter with flying colors, I would say post it!
But if the filter reveals that your heart isn’t in the right place, I would say ditch it.
The “Selfie Heart Filter” Challenge
I want to challenge you to use that filter the next time you are getting ready to post a picture. Don’t just follow in the footsteps of our culture and post whatever you want. Take the picture through each question and be totally honest in your answers.
Looking back on my church camp days, my “selfie” wouldn’t have made it through the filter. I was “posting” to grasp for attention and to make myself feel good. That’s what I wanted. I wanted self to be promoted through the selfie. I want my crush to give me a “like” so I would feel satisfied for a moment.
If you are up for the challenge, I’d love to hear from you.
Leave a comment below letting me know how you think this filter can help you in your future posting choices.
