Being You: But First Let Me Take A Selfie

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?

Galatians 1:10a

Perfect pout. Check.

Perfect chin position. Check.

No straggling bangs. Check.

Head tilt at just the right angle. Check.

Smile.

Click.
Selfie.

The selfie has taken the world by storm, and to what I believe to be the most unfortunate situation. Merriam Webster (Yes, yes apparently this NEEDS to be in the dicitionary) defines selfie as "an image of oneself taken by oneself using a digital camera." Selfies have become so popular in social media that songs have been written about them; hashtags created; a television show based on the selfie concept; and eve, a selfie stick for the market. We are a world obsessed with ourselves. 

A world obsessed with self is heartbreaking. We have been created beautifully, wonderfully by our Creator. We know what He says about us. Yet we result to constantly taking pictures of ourselves and posting ourselves all across social media for the approval of others. To what end? Is it to the end that everyone will like our new hairstyle- our make up- our outfit? Is it to the end that we can see just how many people will "like" our picture which translates to "liking" us to? Is it to the end that we need that constant approval of others in order to feel valued and lovely because we don't think that about ourselves? Or the other end, to the end that we think too highly of ourselves and want the world to know - the end that we are worshiping ourselves?

Girls, we were not created for the selfie! This is why my heart aches every time I sign in to one of my accounts. Inevitably, there is a posted selfie or two, and I simply want so much more for them. I want so much more for the teenage girls in the bathroom (of all places) at the Chickfila who are taking a selfie to post. I want so much more for the girl/woman at the game posting her workout attire and flexing her muscle (um what). I want so much more for the girl who holds her camera over her head for every male to see just a sneak peek of her cleavage.

I want more because they/we were made for more.

In Paul's letter to the Galatians, he confronts them about their seeking approval from man rather than God. They altered what they knew to be true in order to "feel good" and be approved of by others. The teaching is no different today. We were created for so much more, yet we focus on others around us. Our God has called us His own. Yet we turn to what others will call us when we post a picture of ourselves. Our God has rescued us and given us a crown of splendor. Yet we turn to the cute baseball hat or fedora on the beach. Our God has made us His through Christ. Yet we want to settle for basing our identity and confidence based on 42 likes vs 3 likes. Our God has treasured us and given us Himself. Yet we are so easily pleased with mud pies.

We can't be who God has fully intended us to be until we realize that He is the One who approves us and validates us. We are made full when we accept that He has made us complete.