by DiAnn Mills
I believe social media is a ministry, a means of reaching others for Christ. While some may argue that Jesus didn’t take advantage of modern technology, let’s agree Jesus is God.
- Jesus wasn’t and isn’t hampered by computer glitches or lack of connectivity. Jesus blogged (read the red-letter portion of the New Testament), and He scheduled every moment of His life per His divine mission.
- Jesus used a street team (called disciples), told stories, and instead of hashtags, he quoted God.
Social media is about helping our audience walk through life a little easier. Although those we help come in all shapes, sizes, and occupations, it is important our message is clear and fulfills a need.
Once we’ve established our audience, a question arises. How can we use our platforms to reach out with valuable information?
In 1943, Abraham Maslow offered the idea of a hierarchy of needs. These psychological requirements parallel the ones given by God.
When we write our blog and social media posts, we consider our audience’s traits and ask ourselves, With our brand, can we offer valuable assistance?
- Physiological
- Safety
- Love/belonging
- Esteem
- Self-actualization
God wants to meet our needs, but unfortunately, we often use other means of addressing them. Our goal is to show our audience ways to help satisfy their longings. We want to provide solutions that are God-honoring and encourage them to develop their potential. For social media to be a ministry, it must be composed from a Christian worldview.
The Bible has lots to say about platforms, faith, prayer, a passion to reach others, and the power of not giving up. For a few moments, let’s consider the apostle Paul.
Paul had a platform. If in doubt, take a look at Philippians 3:4-8.
If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.
We all have a platform. How are we going to use it to expand the Kingdom? Paul found his faith on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). He held on tightly and never let go. How we use our platform for God indicates who we are.
Paul had a thirst for prayer.
In Ephesians 3:14-19, we read of Paul’s prayer for spiritual strength:
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Are we covering our social media in prayer?
Paul had passion for reaching others that came from a deep love of Christ, as we see in Romans 1:16-17:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
In Philippians 1:1-7, we find Paul’s three passions:
- A passion for Jesus Christ
- A passion for God’s people
- A passion for the message of grace
Are you proud to step out in faith and build a platform because of your love for Jesus? Paul understood his power came from God, not himself, according to 2 Corinthians 12:9-10:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
We all need to practice humility and confess we don’t have the power to do much of anything. What can we glean from Paul’s example and apply to our desire to reach others through our writing and social media?
- Paul has been through all types of adversity.
- Paul was comforted in all his afflictions. God’s grace is sufficient.
- Paul recognized a greater purpose.
- Paul was better able to serve because of his experience.
God doesn’t waste anything. If we’re still breathing, we still have a job to do.
Get social.
It’s biblical.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational Reader’s Choice, and Carol Award contests. Firewall, the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian fiction books of 2014. DiAnn’s latest release is Fatal Strike (Tyndale House, September 2019).
ABOUT FATAL STRIKE
There’s a killer on the loose in Galveston, targeting law enforcement officials and using a fatal injection of snake venom to take them down. Authorities have reasons to believe the Veneno gang is behind the hits, and FBI Agents Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert team up to track down those responsible. Their best lead is an eyewitness who identifies a young man dumping the third body on a church doorstep. But their suspect has gone into hiding, and those closest to him are reluctant to reveal anything that might help investigators find him.
As Leah and Jon check connections among the victims and dig deeper into motives, they discover appearances may be deceiving. Someone is desperate to keep their secrets hidden, and Leah and Jon must face their greatest fears in order to stop the next fatal strike.
For more information about DiAnn, visit her website and/or on Facebook or Twitter. To order Fatal Strike, log on to:
