Wednesday, June 20, 2012

21 days Without Social Media


On May 30, 2012, I decided to take a 1 week fast from facebook and twitter to build my relationship with God. I realized that I wasted precious time on these social media sites. Don't get me wrong, I think that facebook and twitter are wonderful tools to minister, connect with people, etc. but I felt as though I needed to limit the amount of time I spend on these sites because they were literally taking over my life and limiting me from spending more time with God and building my relationship with Him. My 1 week break from social media turn into 21 days fast from social media. I increased my fasting time because I wanted build my longing for His Word and create a habit of not checking facebook and twitter every moment of every day.

At this current state in my life, I am in my Ruth season. During this season, I am focusing my attention on spending more time with God and doing the things that he has called me to do without any distractions. During the first 5 days of the social media fast, I didn't spend any more time with God than I usually do. Instead of using the time I would use to update my status or tweet, I did NOTHING. I made excuses as to why I couldn't read my bible and commune with God. The Spirit revealed to me that I was making excuses because I was scared to spend more quiet time with God. I read my bible during the day which is good but communing with God and meditating on His Word day AND night meant two things: 1) I would GROW and STRENGTHEN my relationship with Christ and 2) I would be accountable for every word that I read. In 1 Timothy 2:7 I was reminded that I wasn't given a spirit of fear from God so I opened the Bible and began to read the Book of Ruth. Since I'm in my Ruth season, I decided to dissect the word in Ruth so I had a better understand of this mighty woman of God and what she did during her season of stewardship. What an AMAZING revelation I received! The Book of Ruth taught me how to be faithful and trust God. 

After I meditated on the Book of Ruth, I decided to look at other books & scriptures in the bible that helped me lean on, rely on, and trust God and His Word. I realized that I am NOTHING without God. He is the air that I breathe and the light unto my feet. I can't do anything without Him. He is my source for patience, love, peace, and everything else I need in order to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

I learned so much about myself during this fast and I thank God for impressing upon my heart to freely open myself to Him so He can purge me for my edification and His glory.

I learned some other important things during my social media fast:

1. I can have fun by myself - I went to the Brooklyn Museum for their monthly First Saturdays event. during the fast. I was nervous to go by myself but I realized that I really enjoy spending time by myself and I learned some new things about art. It's nice to have company but if I want to explore NYC or do something new and I have no one to go with me, I can go places and do things by myself. IT'S OK TO BE MYSELF!!!

Rolling dolo to the Brooklyn Museum

2. I will not change myself because of how others treat me - When I started to live my life for Christ, I let go of every negative spirit that made me an ANGRY BLACK WOMAN. By the grace of God, I was remade into this bubbly, loud, goofy, intelligent, inquisitive, transparent woman and I won't change myself for anyone. I LOVE the woman that I have become in Christ and although I have room to grow (which I do every day), I will not CHANGE myself for ANYONE. Either you love me, you hate me, or you can care less about me but since I know that God loves me and I love me, that's all that really matters!




3. No matter what, God LOVES me - I can be high on top of a mountain or laying low in a ditch, but in all of my states of being, I know that God loves me. He did not spare His son but He gave His son up so I can fellowship with Him and live an abundant life filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. So no matter what I am going through, my knowledge of how much God loves me gives me the strength to press on, go through the test, and overcome every obstacle.


4. God is FAITHFUL - Sometimes the situations that I am praying God to restore or manifest looks dead. It looks as if those things that I am praying God to restore or manifest will never come to pass. But then I remember the many times that God has answered my prayers and I saw the manifestation/restoration in my life and the lives of those I love. I know that my prayers avails much because God has made me righteous through Christ. During my quiet time with God, He revealed to me Number 23:19 which states (via the New Living Translation), "God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through?" I am learning to tell my emotions to "SHUT UP" (thanks Mrs. Heather Lindsay for that small and powerful saying :-D) and dwell on God's Word and His goodness instead of my feelings.


As my 21 day fast comes to an end, I thank God for this opportunity to grow closer to Him. I know that I MUST make a conscious effort to continually grow in Christ to I can rise to the next level spiritually. I pray that this blog blesses you and that you start or continue to strengthen you relationship with Christ eliminating any distractions along the way. Commune with God and read His Word to continually remind yourself of God's unconditional love for you! Stay encouraged and blessed!

With agape love,
Nisheena Q.