A Book To Face
J. D. Conley
Seven weeks ago, I joined the fascinating world of facebook. I did so at the behest of several friends and family members. This was a daunting step for me because I am not technologically up-to-speed in a lot of areas, but I am getting there. Cell phones, e-mail, and fax machines still make me scratch my head in wonder and amazement, while at the same time I am ever grateful for them. I have mixed feelings about facebook, however - not because it is a bad medium: it is wonderful. However, what I see on it from time to time is not so wonderful and disappoints me. Let me explain.
Facebook is a free, on-line service that allows you to interact with friends. Its central concept is that it is a personal cyber page about you, as an individual. On this page, you have a profile on which you list details regarding your date of birth, marital status, hometown, political views, religious affiliation, interests, activities, favorite books, TV shows and movies, music, etc. You can also post pictures of yourself and others, hence facebook. You may make comments about what you are doing at the moment. However, the most exciting thing about facebook is that it allows you to visit the profile pages of friends. You can exchange comments, pictures, and opinions. It is truly a marvelous way to find old friends and make new ones while keeping abreast of what is going on in the lives of others about whom you care.
However, as I have sadly discovered, this is a two-edged sword. Facebook has been an "eye opener" to me, and not just technologically. On facebook, I have seen and read things about some of my friends that have disappointed me: Brothers and sisters in Christ, whom I thought I knew well, are posting pictures, opinions, and employing language that, well, to put it bluntly, has sent me reeling.
Do they not know or care that this information is on the www? Do they not care what others think? Most importantly, do they not care what God thinks? God does not have to log onto facebook to see what is going on in people’s lives. “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:13).
All Christians everywhere, on facebook or not, need to come to grips with the fact that they will all have a book to face one day: “the book of life.” (Revelation 22:19). Are you ready to face this book? How will we want our profile to read then? Remember, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8) -102 Laramie Rd., Marietta, OH 45750.