I think just about everyone takes a selfie now and again- but I see a trend of a lot of teen girls (including some spiritually mature ones I know and love) posting a lot of selfies on Facebook and Instagram. Some times they caption it with an inspirational quote or story. They sometimes get a lot "likes" or comments.
I get it. As women, we long to be told we're beautiful. Society doesn't make it easy to recognize the inherent God-given beauty in each of us- but then we are fed a different message of self-esteem and "you're beautiful and you deserve the best life has to offer." Both are selfish extremes, and I don't believe that either approach solves the problem.
So we turn to social media. Friends, family, and the general public are called upon to give us (hopefully good) feedback. We position ourselves in front of our iPhones with hair and makeup that have been fussed over, make sure we angle it a certain way to avoid a double chin, and make a duck face. (And usually caption it with something like "just on my way to do ______" #runningerrands #messybun #longhairdontcare #yolo). I've done it too. And then constantly check our phones for feedback.
A few thoughts.
1) it isn't wrong to want to be seen as beautiful. I think that is fairly normal for women, and placed in our hearts by God. When beauty becomes an idol (something we value over The Lord), that is the problem.
2) an inspirational quote or verse added to a selfie doesn't make the selfie less .... Selfie-like. Here's a good moment to question your motive: are you posting this picture and this quote to be seen a certain way?
3) speaking of motive, why are you taking the selfie in the first place? Is it an ego boost? Is it to try and prove how awesome your life is? How beautiful you are? (Again, I am right there with you asking these questions.)
4) your true family and friends know what you look like, and know the real you. They will love you through the bad hair days, fat days, and every other kind of day. They have a pretty good understanding of what you look like (inside and out). If they are true, healthy friends, I would argue that they will be some of the first people to tell you if something looks good/bad. Because they love you and are willing to be honest with you, there is no need to take it to social media.
Again, these are just some thoughts, written in haste. I do take selfies sometimes, but laugh at myself because I always feel so ridiculous and vain. If I have an exceptionally good hair day and want to document, I might take a selfie. But the question of motive and asking "am I beautiful?" Should always first be taken to The Lord. Ask Him what He thinks of you, and then take the time to listen. (It could change you!)
Use social media to tell us about your life. What you're doing, thinking, feeling. Take an occasional selfie - but don't let the "likes" and notifications be your measurement of your beauty and self worth.
#youaresomuchmorethanduckfaceselfieSunday #overandout
