February Facebook Fast

I've decided to give up Facebook for at least one month by deactivating my account.  This may seem unnecessary, or even drastic, but I really do believe that this is what's best for me right now. No, I do not think Facebook in itself is terrible or evil, nor do I think that everyone should also deactivate their Facebook accounts. Like so many things, how I use Facebook determines whether it is beneficial or not. I do know that for myself, deactivating for awhile is the right choice. Even Facebook's "redeeming qualities" are not worth the distraction and temptation Facebook has become to me.


My main reason for deactivating is that Facebook is hindering my relationship with God, which should be the number one priority in my life. Sadly though, I know that I spend more time wandering aimlessly on Facebook than I do in His Word or communicating with Him through prayer. Simply put, Facebook has become an idol for me. Do I really think that Facebook has something better for me than what God's Word has to say? By the way I have chosen to spend my time, I must think that, at least to some extent. I don't want to keep living like this; I want to listen to His Voice first and foremost. I want my relationship with God to be the driving factor of my life.


Constantly checking my Facebook has become a bad habit for me, embarrassingly, to the brink of addiction. The first thing I want to do the second I turn on my computer is log into Facebook. Yesterday I realized that without even thinking I had begun typing www.facebook.com into the URL. I've tried "limiting" myself to 25 minutes/day through a google chrome app, but I can "cheat" to get more time by simply using another web browser, which I have definitely done. I don't want to feel this nagging need to check Facebook.


1 Corinthians 6:12 (CEB) ~ "I have the freedom to do anything, but not everything is helpful. I have the freedom to do anything, but I won’t be controlled by anything.


1 Corinthians 6:12 (Amplified Bible) ~ "Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things). Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power."


Not only does Facebook distract me from my relationship with God, it also distracts me from my classes. I've succumbed to the temptation to browse Facebook during class (which is just plain disrespectful to my professors). I've procrastinated doing my homework by thinking, oh, I'll just check Facebook for five minutes, and then log out. But more often than not, five minutes turns into ten minutes. And then twenty minutes later I realize that I haven't done anything at all productive with my time. I could have spent that time so much more wisely.


I've been so blessed, encouraged, and challenged by my friend Lindsay. She has also decided to deactivate her Facebook account for a month (you can read about it on her blog). I'm excited that we can keep each other accountable through this. I'm really looking forward to experiencing how God will use this decision to change my heart to be more in tune with His.


Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV 1984) ~ "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."