I have 1595 Facebook friends.

I know each of them by first, last, and middle name.

It is my joy to keep up with and nurture all of these relationships daily.

Okay, I don’t know all this, and I can’t keep up with everyone, but Facebook makes it far more possible, and for me, it’s been a great tool for reaching and impacting others for Christ.

What is a Facebook friend anyway?

Like all friendships, some are more superficial, but others are extremely real, and in them, things are shared, often more quickly, and more deeply than in many of my 25 year old friendships.

In the last three years (and in the power, the grace, and the hope I have in Jesus):

I have spoken with old high school friends, and been a part of supporting them toward greater health in their marriages.

I have heard from teenagers from 20 years ago in ministry, and have been blessed to hear where God has them now.

I have been asked to speak at an adoption banquet in another state because of posts I have shared on Facebook.

I have had ”strangers” become friends.  They read a post, ask a question, and sometimes I get to lead them to Jesus – not in person, not over the phone, not even by texting, but via Facebook.

I’ve had people ask about our experience with foster care, and this has opened some to an option that they were previously not open to.

I have been able to connect others, within my “network”, to one another, and to their gifts and purposes, and I’ve seen some very cool happenings from that.

I’m part of a community of writers, bloggers, and dreamers that “get me”, that use some of the same tools, and that I don’t have to explain myself to.

I have seen Jesus at work on Facebook.

 It’s unexplainable, and it doesn’t always happen, but it’s my goal that Jesus always be at work on my Facebook account. 

Facebook is not for everyone.

My husband is “on” Facebook, and to this point, has not made much use of it.  He’s opening up to the idea of it, but that’s as far as he’s made it so far.  And that’s OK.

To some, Facebook is silly.  To others, it’s only silly if you have more FB friends than “real” ones. To me, it’s a tool for extending my influence and reach for God’s glory.

Some ask, “Isn’t Facebook and Twitter all about promoting self?” ” Isn’t it just to make you feel better about how many followers you have?”

For me, Social Media is WAY more than that.

What if my sister and I actually get our story published?  What if that means that many people we’d never have met see God’s story in “our” story?  That would be good, and Facebook will have played a role in that since that’s where we met our agent.

What if children are adopted and loved, what if women are able to find healing from sexual abuse, what if families struggling with the pain of addiction find hope in Christ?  What if God . . . ?

The IFs are HIS, and they are for His glory – that others may come to know Jesus, and choose life in Him.

How does the gospel reach others?  How do we make Jesus bigger in our lives so others see Him?

We just share our hearts & our lives and God makes the rest of it happen.

For you, sharing the gospel might take the form of writing notes to those you know are discouraged, or being on your knees for others.

For me, it might involve writing a blog post about depression, so others will feel freedom to get honest about their lives, and find that Jesus can lead them out of darkness.

For you,living the gospel might involve going to lunch with your 8 year old, making brownies for the Girl Scout meeting, and interacting purposefully with the grown ups in your child’s life.

For me, it might involve writing a book, starting a life coaching business, or teaching Pilates, or serving within any of the ministry spots I am in - being the Jenny that God has for me to be.

Did God gift us all the same way?  Of coures not.

As we play our God-given roles, we all do different things, and that’s God’s plan.  The Apostle Peter wrote, ”Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”  (I Pet. 4:10)

If Jesus were living on Earth today, would He use Twitter or Facebook to reach people?

Which of the 12 disciples would have been the most vocal on Social Media?                    Which of the 12 would have never touched a computer?  There would have been both kinds.

I use Social Media for its value in reaching the world around me with the message of Jesus, not the message of Jenny.

I use Social Media to share His truth and I do it boldly.  I know it is one of the many tools God can use to bring others to discover the amazing, abundant life that He has given me.

Why do you use Social Media?  Why don’t you?  The more relevant question is “Who are you trying to reach?” not “Are you doing it like me or am I doing it like you?”

COMMENTS are Welcomed:

How do you use Social Media?  As a user/reader/follower?  What would you add to this discussion? 

Related articles

• Introducing Tanya to Jesus on Facebook (equipping4eministry.wordpress.com)