Apparently there are nearly TWO HUNDRED MILLION people on Twitter… now that’s a lot of people! With so many people using this and other social networking platforms how do you know who to follow?
Everyone that follows you?
Famous people?
Just your close friends?
Finding a purpose for social media
I realise that people use social media for all sorts reasons and purposes. But, as people in “pursuit of the way” we need to be good stewards of the way we use social media. This means we need to have a thoughtful approach as to who and why we follow people.
3 People every Christian should be following.
In life there are three people that we all have some form of relationship with. Those with us, those ahead of us and those behind us on the journey. These are the 3 people we should all be following on Twitter!
1) The person who is with you
The first person to follow is the person who is with you on the journey. I always say, “find your people”…. it’s those people that I am referring to here. The friends that love what you love…. those that encourage and build you up. The ones who have stuck by you through the great and tragic times. The people who are prepared to talk about the real issues of life with you (especially when you’re a little off course). Follow your real Christian friends. Be encouraged by them and encourage them in their pursuit of Jesus.
2) The person ahead of you
Do you ever look at certain people and think to yourself “when I grow up I want to be just like them”? It’s those more mature and wise people that fit here. Follow those people. Utilise the nature of social media to build relationships with them and allow them to speak wisdom and truth into your life.
Of course, follow the well known pastors and leaders from around the globe, but they are not who I am speaking about here.
The people I refer to are often the quiet achievers of the Christian faith. Those who have been faithful to Christ for years and years without recognition or esteem. Follow these people and emulate them.
You’ll know them because they reflect the fruit of the Spirit, they’re active in seeing others come to a saving knowledge of Christ and they are keen disciple makers.
3) The person behind you
The third person to follow is the person who is behind you on the journey.
As Christians in “pursuit of the way” we must be discipling others. Perhaps the younger Christian who needs some support and help in navigating the journey. Perhaps the person who is seeking truth but hasn’t yet discovered that it is to be found in Jesus.
Follow these people and allow them to follow you. Make space for them in your world and actively inspire them to pursue what it means to live for Jesus in a world that encourages anything but this.
The choice is yours!
Twitter has the potential to be a great tool in the hands of committed believers. We can use it for the glory of God, to strengthen and establish His Kingdom on the earth, or we can waste our time and not steward the opportunity that it presents to inspire, encourage and develop disciples.
Thoughts? How do you use Twitter? Do you have a plan? Is it Christ centered? I look forward to reading your thoughts in the comment section below.
Or you could not over think some things and enjoy life every now and then? Just saying!!
Maybe…. or maybe everything we do matters, and therefore is worth thinking about?
Country people are a little slow in the twitter department..so..I followed Hillsong and came across you.My plan is to follow a few who uplift the name of JESUS and bring encouragement into my life.this way I can keep up and follow a thread.I follow only a few because of time ,but so look forward to a quick read before milking each am.then again after I get back from swimming..then plug in again in the evening,before bed..well done keep it up so inspiring
My one comment on tweeting would be I get frustrated with Christians who only tweet scriptures with no comment or background on why it’s meaningful to them or all “my life is rosy” tweets. Humour, things you are passionate about etc. all show a well rounded person who is far more interesting to the unbeliever than just a scripture bot. I think Pastors Brian and Bobbie are great examples of this – they tweet both stuff going on in their world – kids, grandkids, holidays, friends, footy etc. as well as encouragement, the odd scripture etc. (And they are definitely 2 people you should follow on Twitter!)
Thanks for the comment Megan. I must admit, I do tweet verses without comment. My thinking is that the verse may be relevant to people in ways that it’s not to me and vise versa. But, I completely understand what you’re saying and will keep it in mind in future.
Love these thoughts!
Thanks!
You’re welcome Ryan – thanks for reading and commenting – really appreciate it.