In the world of blogging, I'm a nobody. Nobody at all. I chuckled when I received a publicity email this week that offered me a book for review. I responded that I'd be glad to review it. Then, I got an email asking for my credentials. What groups am I associated with? How many readers do I have? I just had to chuckle. Our world is so focused on who you know now because of social networking. It is strange at times to be on the outside since I deleted my facebook account last year.
My husband commented to me that because I even let it bother me or question my worth for a second that some part of me believed it.
Hmm... Do I?
When I was growing up, one's worth was determined by whether they were popular and well liked at school. The number of Facebook friends and "likes", twitter readers, pins on pinterest, and blog readers... That's what our society now determines whether someone is popular, and thus of more or less worth knowing.
I was at a dinner a few weeks ago, where we all played a game. We went around the circle and shared things that at least a few people in the room wouldn't know about us. It was a get to know you, ice beaker type of game. As the circle went around, several people said "I met..." or "I saw..." When my turn, I couldn't say anyone's name. I've never actually met anyone our world would say is famous. I don't know anyone famous. I'm a nobody.
Now, I know I'm not really a nobody.
John 3:16 tells me that 16 “For God so loved ithe world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
I know that I am loved by God and I am thankful. He created me--just as he created you. And he loves us.
It's easy for me to get caught listening to the voices I perceive coming from the world about what makes me valuable when I get on the web. "When I get on the web..." is an interesting thing to think about as well.
What do we go to the internet looking for? What are we seeking? Are we really just wanting to catch up with friends? Is it stealing our breath and time away from our real lives--the people in front of us?
I was reading a blog recently in which I read a comment on someone's post that they loved hearing the blogger's story. It seemed idyllic. The reader stated that she was living vicariously through the blogger's story. But, what if the blogger's story wasn't as idyllic as it is written? I've known of cases on the web when the blogged story is very different than the real story. If this is the case, is the reader looking for something that isn't real on the web? What am I looking for? What are you looking for? Escape? Encouragement? Hope? Are we looking in the right place?
Probably not. At least, I've realized that I'm not a lot of times. This is something for me to take to the Lord and leave at His feet.
Oh, as for the email--I did respond, explaining that I'm a nobody. A few days later, I was offered an electronic copy of the book. I replied politely, "Thank you, but I'm going to decline your offer. I don't review PDFs. Please take me off your mailing list." Why endure rejection that only tempts me to place my value in who I know?
The irony is that my value is ultimately because of who I know--our Lord, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for my sins. This is what I need to remember and keep my eyes focused on.
1 comment:
Suzanne, It has been an ongoing struggle for me to accept that Jesus is enough for me. That my self-esteem and self-worth aren't (shouldn't be!) tied up into what I do or what others think about me. Just minutes before reading this I uttered a prayer that God would ease my jealousies and feelings of inadequacy...that I could be content in Him. (For the record....you aren't a nobody! I know what you are saying, and I "know you know", but...you aren't a nobody to me, friend.)
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