Have you ever noticed how people only post the good parts of their lives on social media? They portray their best selves by broadcasting successes, adventures and good hair days, while hiding the bad and ugly moments from the world.
I was in high school when Instagram took over and always did my best to share a beautiful highlight reel of my life. Instagram made it really easy to see who was having the best time with the nicest stuff and coolest friend. I tried to follow suit. One Friday night, in a misguided effort to look cool to a new group of friends, I decided to post a picture getting ready for a party. In reality, there was no party. At least not one that I was invited to, but no one had to know that! I straightened my hair, put on makeup, dressed up, and took several mirror selfies until I had it just right. I posted my photo with a caption that went something like “Ready for tonight’s party!” It wasn’t long before my plan started to work — likes and comments from my new acquaintances who I hoped to turn into friends started rolling in.
Unfortunately, they wanted more information on my fake party that didn’t exist. I lied and told them I was going with my cousin and her friends from another school. Little did I know, the girls I was hoping to befriend also knew people from that school. They found out there was no party. And worse, they found out that I made the whole thing up just to try to look cool. Which is really lame. While trying to manufacture a new image for myself, I ended up telling lie after lie only to end up all dressed up with no where to go.
READ Matthew 6:19-20
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Our identities were never meant to be tied to the stuff we have on earth. Think of all the things we chase — popularity, Instagram fame, trendy clothes, travel
goals. Those could be destroyed or stolen in an instant. If you get caught posting about fake parties on Instagram, your chances of popularity are gone. If your family faces money issues, your chances of new clothes and selfie-worthy vacations are gone. Instagram encourages us to focus on what we have and what we do, which makes it easy to obsess over these things. Never let your happiness hinge on something that can be taken away.
Our identities are meant to be tied to something that no one could ever destroy or steal: faith in Jesus. Whether you have a lot or a little, you have incredible purpose when you are following Jesus. What you do today has the potential to matter forever, and it doesn’t require anything but a heart willing to follow God. 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Popularity in high school is temporary. Showing others the love of God is eternal. Gossiping to fit in is temporary. Speaking words that honor God is eternal. Tearing others down to elevate yourself is temporary. Building other up in faith is eternal. Wealth is temporary. Generosity is eternal.
God has given every believer incredible purpose in life — eternal purpose that no one could every destroy or take from you. Tying your identity to the temporary things will lead to loss and pain, but tying your identity to your purpose in Christ will lead to eternal fulfillment and joy.