Sometimes I wonder what would happen if I pressed delete.
Delete on this blog.
Delete on my Facebook.
Delete on my Twitter.
What if I ceased to exist in this online world?
Am I relying on the means too much instead of trusting the power of the message I feel I’ve been charged to communicate?
Isn’t the message, and the One who it came from enough on it’s own?
Is this life of online media the new normal, or is it a mutated form of normality I’ve come to accept?
Has this method of communication become an idol of mine that does things for God instead of the other way around?
Sometimes I wonder.
And I wonder if I’m the only one who is wondering.
Comments
65 responses to “Have I Created an Idol that Does Things For God?”
I had a moment the other day that had me thinking the same thing.
It’s funny how at our last connections lunch a couple was introduced to me and I immediately said, “Hey, join our group on Facebook and I’ll make sure you get all our Young Adult invites for the upcoming events.”
They paused and looked at one another and then turned to me and said, “Facebook? We’re not on Facebook.”
Great post! Great thoughts to kick around today!
Blessings,
-JP
Josiah?s last blog post..Christian Celebrity
Clearly you are not the only one that is wondering. Shane Hipps is a good example of someone that is wondering. But I come up with almost entirely different answers from him.
I think it should come down to a couple questions. Am I doing what God is calling me to? Are some of the methods that I am using to try to accomplish what God is calling me to actually hindering that work? Is there a community that I am working in that can positively help me to maintain balance and passion in my work? Am I around people that are not followers of God so that I can build relationship with them?
There certainly are more questions we can ask, but I think those are a good start. And I think we should be asking questions about our non-digital life as much or more than our digital life. Because for most of us, our non-digital life consumes more time than our digital life.
Adam S?s last blog post..I didn?t know you could do that!
Anne,
You are not the only one wondering.
I have asked this question several times in the last year.
But, the one thought that keeps coming to my mind is:
in everything we do, we doubt.
At my job, I wonder, “Do I really make a difference?”
In my church, I ask, “If I left, would anybody notice?”
In my community, I think, “Does anybody even care about my contributions?”
With my friendships, I ponder, “Why should I keep on when this is so difficult?”
even in my family….. “Would my husband be happier with someone else?”
Where these feelings of self-doubt originate, I’m not sure.
Are they just fallen fleshly thoughts because my ego isn’t being stroked?
Are they jabs from the enemy to make me doubt my worth and God’s direction?
I’m not sure.
What I do know is that we all doubt,
in different ways at different times
in varying situations and to different degrees.
Adam posed marvelous questions.
If we can answer these with honesty and find that we’re on the mark,
then we should feel confident to turn away from the self-doubt
and know that
we ALL have it
but we shouldn’t let it stop us
from a job we feel led to do
in whatever way we are doing it
whether it be conventional or traditional, trendy or unusual.
Blessings to you,
from another who loves to ask questions
-|<@ren
Technology (from emergence of the printing press to the latest inventions like Twitter) is a tool. Nothing more, nothing less. In and of themselves, these things are neither good or bad. I’ve no doubt that people have asked these same questions throughout history as different technology has become available.
The question we need to asking is simply this:
Am I using this tool or is this tool using me?
Or, to put it another way, is technology serving us or controlling us?
If technology is distracting us from our mission then the fault doesn’t lie with the technology but with ourselves. It is our responsibility to stay true to the course we should be on and use anything and everything that will help us on that path. And if the tool becomes a distraction rather than an aid, we may need to scrap it or at least change how we use it.
Good questions!
Sam.?s last blog post..Helping ourselves by helping others
Much of scripture is comprised of letters that travelled along Roman roads. This was a revolutionary use of tech (particularly the Roman parts).
If God sees fit to let technology do something like this, why would we question his work via current technology?
Mike?s last blog post..The clock is ticking
Hi Anne. IMHO if you “ceased to exist in this online world?” then alot of people would 1. not hear the gospel, 2. not have an inside look into the world of child sponsorship, and 3. not connect with other like minded folks who are striving to know and glorify God in ministry, among many other things.
I believe that we should use every means at our disposal to communicate the Gospel. Technology included.
If you have not read Secret Believers by Brother Andrew, I highly recommend it. There are several examples there in of God using the power of technology for His purposes.
AnnieLaurie?s last blog post..How I Met My Husband
You are definitely not the only one who thinks this way or has had his/her thoughts drift that way. Whenever I look at my clock and see how much time I stayed online doing “ministry” I I begin to think it’s time to stop…..stop it all…..unplug, delete, close shop.
Boundaries are needed.
Rick Apperson?s last blog post..One Day At a Time
No, no, no, no, Anne…please do not cease to exist in this online world……
The World you represent and brilliancy for expressing your thoughts is so REAL and NEEDED. I feel like you are the “Reach Out and Touch” extraordinary Lady to all of us who need it!!!!!! And I am soooo grateful!
Carol?s last blog post..Caught Up On Reading
alas, the question I am asking is not “is technology evil??!!!!”
it is…
have i — anne jackson — turned it into an idol in my own life?
and as much as i would love for you all to tell me the answer, you can’t.
i am the only one that can find the answer to that, and be obedient to whatever the step is god has me take…
whether or not it makes sense to you, or to me.
anne jackson?s last blog post..Have I Created an Idol that Does Things For God?
It totally makes sense to me. I wonder that all the time. If you are asking if you’re normal…if you an I are normal than yes, if not then no.
But you’re not alone in thinking that.
You are not alone, Anne. When I consider the time on spent online versus in the Word, I am mad at me.
You’re not the only one wondering…
I’m convinced that on this side of heaven, our motives and passions are intertwined with our desire for God’s glory. I once read a passage from a great thinker like Jonathan Edwards or Charles Spurgeon that commented on how our greatest feats for God are like shoddy clay creations from 2nd grade art class. We are so proud of what we’ve done. We present the creation to our father or mother and they dote on us. A tear falls. It’s a tender moment. But it’s just a shoddy clay creation that has no value.
Anne, technology is amoral. Like music and art. It’s what we do with it that matters. The same video editing software can demonstrate the realities of poverty for a comfortable American OR produce porn. Music can lift the soul to worship OR encourage thoughts of suicide.
The same hammer that drives nails into the wrist can be used to construct a cathedral.
Anne, you have used technology to encourage others to walk by faith. You’ve used technology to comfort those who are stressed out or burned out in ministry. You’ve used technology to move hundreds of Americans to help change the lives of children through Compassion Intl. You’re now using technology to help Shaun Groves spread the word about children who need hope and the Savior who offers it.
Don’t give up on technology. Don’t shun it. Continue to transform it.
W. Mark Whitlock?s last blog post..Total Axxess with Wally – Catching a World Vision
we are called to do all things excellent. I think that blogging, twitting, or any other form of media is a great tool to advance a message that is still living. A message that did not die on a cross or get covered in some dust on scrolls. It is time for a new generation to hear it and that new generation is checking there tweet updates every ten minutes. The world will hear from words yes, but maybe they can also hear from a blog, a tweet, or a facebook.
Dear Anne, May I say this? My own family’s “ministry” has been learning (by study and experiences) the things God actually means by “love your neighbors,” and then trying to do something about that. I learned about your ministry through a link from David Kuo’s blog during the Uganda trip; I’d learned about his blog through his own book, and that from news articles about it.
But had I not followed those links; had you not been writing; there is so much I would not have learned or known: about Uganda, about India, Compassion’s ministry, The Healing Place, your visits to Tent City, your blanket giveaway. I could go on and on. But the point is that without your blogs there’s a great deal that’s been meaningful to me that I would NOT have known. I grew from your blogs. (And even quoted a couple of you and David’s brief excerpts in the book I’m writing.) So thank you!
This isn’t to say those blogs, and Twitter and Facebook, shouldn’t go out without prayer. To be effective they must, just like Pete’s or Dino’s or anyone else’s sermons. All four of us here are trying to learn to ask God what we should do BEFORE we decide to do it. We believe we’ll need to learn that before we get busy in ministry. Otherwise, as you describe in Mad Church Disease, we’ll burn out and be ineffective. Prayer makes your blogs effective too. And they have been!
And it isn’t to say God may not lead you to change. He could. He almost always does lead us from one stage to another. But let those stages be built on his Spirit’s leading, not on discouragement. Maybe God could be nudging you to start thinking about forming an actual “help” organization. Or taking some steps toward your “big” dream. Or, after trying all the new media, focusing on just one (I vote for the blog and your books; we don’t get Facebook or Twitter). Or something else. Only you will know what. But trust that when it’s time, he’ll tell you.
At times – like when I went through my divorce – I had a lot of questions about my direction. Then this thought struck me: “If you’ll be faithful to obey God by loving him, and by loving your neighbors, he’ll take care of the rest. He’ll guide your steps.” And he has.
The four of us are praying for you. God bless.
good, hard questions. you aren’t the only one wondering. i am thankful for the connections provided online…i wonder what life would look like without my computer. you have some great thoughts going on here!
danielle?s last blog post..An interview
There are some tools that can help in our electronic additions. One of them is http://www.rescuetime.com It is a monitor that tracks our computer usage. You create goals for what you want to do. Or you can just track what you spend your time on and see if you really are spending your time where you think you should be.
There are some others that are more strict. For instance you can set one so that it will block all internet activity for a time you set (great if you use your computer for devotions and want to block internet distractions. Or you can block specific sites (like twitter and facebook) until you accomplish the task you are working on. These are somewhat like porn filters in that, if you really want around them you can get around them. They are more like warnings to help encourage goals that you set for yourself.
Adam S?s last blog post..I didn?t know you could do that!
Keep asking yourself the hard questions. Keep wrestling with God. Keep challenging and stretching yourself. It’s all a part of the journey.
nope. not the only one.
evan blackerby?s last blog post..It.
“Anne, you have used technology to encourage others to walk by faith. You?ve used technology to comfort those who are stressed out or burned out in ministry. You?ve used technology to move hundreds of Americans to help change the lives of children through Compassion Intl. You?re now using technology to help Shaun Groves spread the word about children who need hope and the Savior who offers it.”
True….but the sole question is….
HAVE I MADE IT AN IDOL???
anne jackson?s last blog post..Have I Created an Idol that Does Things For God?
Aha! The good news is you’ve answered your question about “community”. You don’t seem to be the type that could make an idol out of an unconnected computer playing some static game or something.
It’s the connection with people that you’re really concerned about.
I think your real question is “am I making an idol out of the fellowship, connection, and/or community created by this technology”. This question could be asked of any group of connected people. Happens in churches all the time. I think you wrote a book about something like that. ;)
Mike?s last blog post..The clock is ticking
I’ve been contemplating this a lot in my own life (as I have become a little addicted). I’m not sure what to say, other than you’re definitely not alone!
You’re definitely not the only one who’s wondering…
mandythompson?s last blog post..What do you want?
i wonder the very same thing myself, anne, all the time. we used to function just fine, if not better, without all this relational technology that i totally think has become an idol. i’d rather be on facebook than doing a lot of other things…and that’s kind of a problem.
I’m pretty sure you’re not the only one. . . Look at all these comments!
I’ve thought the same thing. My blog posts have been sporadic at best lately because I’ve been wrestling with the same thought.
Nate?s last blog post..Never alone. . .
‘HAVE I MADE IT AN IDOL???’
yep, only you can answer that. but, don’t be too hard on yourself in the process. just the fact that you question your own motives for the sake of spiritual purety is a good sign that you are in touch with it. if it has become an idol, there is no condemnation from the masses. instead, there is the question you defined that should burn in all of us – what are our idols? tv, music, shoes, beach houses, church, pastor??? – mine can be my ’99 convertible weekend car on a spring day
the simple fact that you ask and you pray about it simply tells me that regardless of the answer – you’ll find it and fix it, if needed. blessings
I’ve been wondering recently. You’re not alone.
Andy Darnell?s last blog post..The Church has left the Building Part 1: Purpose
Anne –
Great post. The question I’ve started to ask, is not “have I created an idol” but rather “have I created an idol today?” I have the ability and propensity to create an idol out of anything, even and perhaps especially, the beautiful things God shares with me. I say especially, because of all the things in my life, it is the beautiful gifts that the devil would love to ruin the most with idolatry. He doesn’t care about the little things, but the big gifts, the ones God grants us uniquely, you’re writing for instance, those are the things the devil loves to mess up and encourage us to mess up. Because if we make an idol of them and take our eyes off God, the gift is messed up. If we stop using the gift because we’re afraid we’ve made it into an idol, the gift is messed up and he wins there too.
For me, writing has been a continual process of finding God, turning my writing into an idol, giving the gift back to God and surrendering it, finding God, turning my writing into an idol etc. I’d like to say I don’t do that anymore, that I’ve grown or matured beyond that, but that’s not true. I still have the tendency to do that, and still find myself running back into God with my idol.
Jon
Jon Acuff?s last blog post..#69. Saving seats at church.
These are great questions, and I think we all ought to ask them.
What YOU are really good at tho, Anne, is forcing thoughts and attitudes to the surface that many of us keep below the surface. We do need people like you to halp us, me, all of us, to keep being honest. We help each other when we are.
What you are “doing” here on your blog is “being”. You’re “being” yourself. At least that’s my read on you, reading and listening from afar.
Paul Kuzma?s last blog post..Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Pastors & Leaders Conference Day 2
i wonder this as well. about myself.
Crystal Renaud?s last blog post..A Good Old Fashioned Roll Call
i wonder too.
i know the answer for myself. and yet i cling so tightly because im afraid of the other side.
there’s a quote i think by CS Lewis that says something like “it’s not that we doubt whether God will do what is best for us, but how painful what is best for us will turn out to be.”
i feel that deeply in my own life. that perhaps if i stopped gripping so tightly to these idols that the other side has potential to be so much better than this…. yet im unwilling to get there because the process would be uncomfortable & painful.
Brandi?s last blog post..vagabond.
i wonder where i would be without this technology. it is infinitely helpful to many of us who are somewhat home bound. i appreciate the community it affords me when i need it. and i want to be there for other people if i can. but i am only as good as i allow Christ to be through me in any case, online or in person.
ginger?s last blog post..Fires
I guess the question is: Does living “online” result in a constant state of distraction — away from God?
I make my living with my computer and I pour my time and energy into it. Does it distract me from God? Honestly, I’d say, yes, it does sometimes.
wvpv?s last blog post..Tweets for 2009-05-12
No, Anne, you are certainly not the only one who is wondering. I have had that conversation with myself and with God several times in recent days.
Lora?s last blog post..From one concert to the next
It’s a question I ask myself daily — am I turning this into an idol? And this can be and is so many different things. For me, I struggle with the focus I place on online stuff — comments, visitors, numbers, etc. I have that personality that can make an idol of anything — relationships, people, jobs, hobbies, ministries, anything including myself or more specifically, my online self.
I know that I know that I know I’m called to write for His kingdom. I know that I’m called to minister to my sisters in the faith by creating, building, and encouraging connections between them. I know that I’m called to teach His word and to speak for those who have no voice. I know these things. If my online self becomes so focused on promoting me, then all these things the Lord has called me to do gets lost and left by the wayside.
So I understand your question and I ask myself the same one regularly. I think the trouble will begin when I stop asking the question and assume that I have it under control.
Mary?s last blog post..Mad Church Disease by Anne Jackson
only you (and maybe Chris) can truly know how you esteem social media in your heart; what value you have given it and whether it has been formed – in your heart – into a golden calf.
twitter…facebook…myspace – they have no intrinsic moral value. ya just gotta be honest with yourself and God about the place they have taken internally.
lotsa love for ya from KY…
a stronger word? what if you were not to read any of the comments connected to this post?
i sit next to those buttons at least once a week…
Jim?s last blog post..Ben Arment Whiteboard Conference Interview
IF you have made it an idol… Why do you think you have?
@olivia
How do I spend my time? Goes back to my post yesterday.
anne jackson?s last blog post..Have I Created an Idol that Does Things For God?
Yes. You are right. And you’re not alone.
Nick Charalambous?s last blog post..Two great reads on the church and community
Anne…I wanted to share something with you. A post I wrote.
http://theinterruptedgirl.blogspot.com/2009/05/shoes-shoes-shoes.html
C @ DITR?s last blog post..Shoes Shoes Shoes!!!
“Have you made a good thing into an idol?”
Tony said it pretty well: only you can honestly answer that. I can’t. None of us “our here” can. But I’ll say this: I’d be very surprised. It could be you sometimes try to do too much at once? That you’re excited by the new capabilities at your fingertips now, and love exploring them? That you’re trying to give your best? Even making mistakes? But none of those make it an idol. Placing it ahead of God? I sure don’t get any sense that you’ve done that. Only you know for sure. But I AM sure than, whatever or whoever’s made you question this, God loves you. And thinks you’re worthy. As worthy as Christ – because it’s His worthiness we have.
But, I’ve been amazed at the responses. Whatever you call it – an idol or not – you certainly struck a strong chord with a large number of readers. If this had been a poll, it clearly showed a widespread feeling that many of us do spend more time than we think we should e-mailing, Twittering, Facebooking (is that a word?). (I didn’t include “blogging” because I think of that more like writing a book or column – and as giving, not taking.) But, you know, I do think you and all my fellow readers’ self-questioning is called “growing.” Or “learning.” Or “getting into balance.” For most of us, and I strongly suspect this includes you, it’s very different from idol worshipping.
That’s my 2 cents worth. Though my wife reminds me I WAS wrong once – or was it twice? Anyway, we’re all praying for you. Christian love and best wishes.
You’re not the only one.
How’s that for stating the obvious?
Marla Taviano?s last blog post..twirly tuesday
No. It’s just the most effective form of communication that God has given you to tell your story. Keep on keeping on. Stop worrying about the how. Just speak out. Nike.
Your blog has provided a point of connection and encouragement for me. It’s got me thinking about a lot of things I wouldn’t have thought about otherwise. I read your story of depression in a down moment last year and was greatly encouraged… no Christian was letting me talk to them about the issues I was having after my accident so I needed to hear that it was ok to need help.
Technology can be a danger for sure, but it also can be a tremendous blessing.
I spend too much time on the internet now, but it’s my lifeline too while I’m not working. God has blessed me tremendously through connection online that I wasn’t getting in real life. I think I’m alive and well because of it. I guess we all just need to pray for purpuse and God’s will in our communication online, just like any other area of our lives.
As for YOUR blog, I feel it is a ministry. It has certainly challenged me and given me a place to discuss, it has opened my eyes and encouraged me.
But sometimes I worry the same thing about “worship services”. Sometimes I think the music and production become what we respond to, not God. I have moments where I want to strip the stage clean, go to just a piano or guitar and not worry about the production of the service and just worship…….
Alas, a ministry can be made an idol too.
Good Morning Anne~
Thanks for pondering and asking the question. I have wondered this @ times & yet for me the online interaction has been a lifesaver & motivator for me. I struggle like you to keep in all in balance and provide margin for relationships offline. thanks for keeping it real and asking the tough questions.
S
This is an extremely tough question. Wow.
And my comment is not related to YOU in anyway….just general observation.
I read a lot of very popular blogs. I read them because they either encourage or inspire me, and because I love to see how God is working in other people’s lives. It is good for my spirit.
But I’ll be honest, I prefer the occasional blogger to the everyday blogger. I view some everyday bloggers as stat mongers, and that turns me off. And I really get turned off when someone twitters to their facebook, but never goes to facebook, and therefore they are not engaged with the people on facebook who are commenting and trying to engage. THat can be especially damaging if someone is reaching out…and no one is there to grab their hand.
There is a very fine line. Am I blogging for recognition and praise, or am I truly blogging for the kingdom of God? Or both? And is both, bad? I don’t know.
My heart is conflicted.
Melissa?s last blog post..The Village
Our motives reveal our heart, which is deceitful (Jer. 17). It’s never a bad thing of us to put these under the microscope. God is the one who’s given us the platform (blog/ministry/business) … the platform we’ve worked hard to expand, brand, manage and promote. It represents us, our thoughts, and who we are. How difficult to lay that down?
Abraham offering Isaac as a sacrifice comes to mind … that’s mind-boggling to me.
A final comment – from St. Paul’s perspective:
Yes, we all seem to agree we can get carried away. We need to balance our time. We want to do things for the right reasons.
But these verses just struck me – Philippians 1: 15-19. Paraphrased, Paul says “It doesn’t matter so much why you’re doing it. The important thing is that you are.”
His actual words (Living Bible): “Some, of course, are preaching the Good News because they are jealous of the way God has used me. They want reputations as fearless preachers! But others have purer motives, preaching because they love me … And some preach to make me jealous, thinking that their success will add to my sorrows here in jail! But whatever their motive … the fact remains that the Good News about Christ is being preached, and I am glad. I am going to keep on being glad…
Yes, let’s look at our heart motives. But let’s be glad too.
It seems like you have been flirting with this idea for a while now….
kristiapplesauce?s last blog post..Back in the swing
Don’t be afraid. Be alive. Life is what gives glory to God.
Where is your heart? When I read this, it looks more aligned to God than not aligned. A living light, reflecting God’s truth is NOT, I repeat, NOT an idol worshiper.
May God’s peace fill your heart.
You’re not the only one who’s wondering…may we all figure it out sooner, rather than later. And may we be challenged and freed by the answer.
Faith Dwight?s last blog post..So long, Sunday Blues
Sigh… I do feel it boils down to our heart… We begin to ask ourselves these questions that ache us and then the ache subsides and rises again… that’s when you know. You can’t stop the ache unless you stop the cause…
– Learning the lesson now
Natalie?s last blog post..REVELING and COMMUNICATING>>>
I think the only one that can answer this question is you.
Does your heart tell you to push delete on it all?
My suggestion. Go to God. He will tell you.
Steven?s last blog post..Sitting in the still quietness of the backyard listening to a…
You’re like Jacob wrestling with the angel/man/self in your writing. You put words to things we secretly feel but are too scared to say. Your posts are like a Rorschach inkblot test, which make the comments an engaging read!
Do you limp?
Keith Jennings?s last blog post..What is love anyway?
Anne, I have enjoyed reading your blog, but I would encourage you if you’re seriously thinking of deleting or turning off your blog, to do so. Don’t take this the wrong way. I just think you’d be surprised at the result and at what you might discover.
I have been studying the life of Moses and it is very clear that God hates idols. The questions you asked are important for all of us to ask and the type of questions God loves
to answer!
“You saw among them their detestable images and idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold. Make sure there is no man or woman…among you today whose heart turns away from the Lord our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison.” Deuteronomy 29:17-18
Sara Ross?s last blog post..give them something
The question is the problem.
By asking the question, you made the issue about you. It’s focused on self rather than God. The question turns it into a form of idolatry: yourself.
The correct question is whether God would say the blog is focused on Him. Only you could answer that.
Thanks for watching out for our sins, sinwatcher.
wow, someone called “sinwatcher”.
Melissa?s last blog post..Sharing the Darkness
Hi Anne. I’m new to your blog and the conversation here. It’s an interesting question you raise and you seem to have a lot of supporters here, which probably makes the question even harder to answer. Have recently finished Madeleine L’Engle’s book, Penguins and Golden Calves: Icons and Idols, I wondered if she would have something to contribute to this conversation, through her book. At the beginning of the chapter, “Words,” (which I thought most applied to a question of making an idol out of blog/twitter/etc=>mostly words), she writes this:
Word
I, who live by words, am wordless when
I try my words in prayer. All language turns
To silence. Prayer will take my words and then
Reveal their emptiness. The stilled voice learns
To hold its peace, to listen with the heart
To silence that is joy, is adoration.
The self is shattered, all words torn apart
In this strange patterned time of contemplation
That, in time, breaks time, breaks words, breaks me,
And then, in silence, leaves me healed and mended.
I leave, returned to language, for I see
Through words, even when all words are ended.
I, who live by words, am wordless when
I turn me to the Word to pray. Amen.
Amber?s last blog post..Just another walk in the park
I’ve been wondering about this for some time. I have stopped blogging daily and don’t stress out anymore to “perform” for people. Some days, I don’t have a thing to say. I’m too busy living. While my motto is “rock whatcha got” for the Jesus, I don’t believe He wants us to do so to the detriment of our relationship with Him. Flesh, blood and guts will never be replaced by twitters, facebooks, myspaces, and whatever else google waves (coming soon!).
One thing I plan to do is to spend less time online and more time eating the Word and serving the mission that is about to move about 10 minutes from me.
I have an addictive personality for things I really like so I have to watch myself (coffee, chocolate). Sad but true.
You seek God’s wisdom and know that you are in my prayers :)
missional girl?s last blog post..ChurchSpeak That Needs to Die #2: ?Goin? to Church?!?