Known by God
Love it or hate it…social media is here to stay.
Our lives—our values, thoughts, even our identities—are shaped in part by 15-second clips of other people’s lives or creativity. It’s not just a tool anymore; it's a platform, a culture, a way of life.
The challenge I see, especially within the Church, is that social media gives people an instant platform to be heard and seen. And let’s be honest, we all want to be seen. We all want to be heard. Deep down, we all desire to be known.
But here’s the danger: social media gives us the illusion of vulnerability and authenticity. Real authenticity? It requires looking someone in the eye. It’s face to face. It’s slow, not instant. On social media, feedback comes from trusted and untrusted voices alike, solicited or not, and still, in the chaos of comments and views, we’re searching for that same old validation: “Am I seen?” “Am I heard?” “Am I enough?”
Let’s go back to the Bible. Let’s talk about David.
David, the youngest of eight brothers, was out in the fields when the prophet Samuel came looking for the next king. In 1 Samuel 16, God directs Samuel to Jesse’s house to anoint one of his sons. One by one, seven sons pass before Samuel, and none of them are chosen.
“Are these all the sons you have?” Samuel asked.
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” (1 Samuel 16:11)
Here’s the beauty: David wasn’t campaigning. He wasn’t self-promoting. He didn’t post about his devotion in the fields or hashtag #FutureKing. He was simply faithful where he was. And God knew exactly where to find him.
David didn’t need social media to be validated.
He didn’t need to market his value.
He trusted that God knew his name, his role, his location, and his future.
And at the right time, God sent for him.
So here’s the truth: Just when you think no one sees you, God sends for you.
Let God do the promoting. Let Him do the calling. Trust that He sees you in the quiet places, the obscure assignments, the fields where no one else is watching. He's not looking for people to share His spotlight; He's looking for those hidden in His shadow, willing to let Him take center stage.
Journal: Ask the Lord, "Where am I seeking to be glorified above You? What areas of my life can I trust that You know me and know exactly where I am?" And write down what He reveals to you.
Prayer: Father, You alone know me. You see both my strengths and my weaknesses. You know where I fall short and what distracts me from You. Help me to see where I’m trying to make a name for myself and where I may be stealing Your glory. Shape my heart to desire only to glorify You. In the quiet places, may I learn to trust that You are enough. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Our lives—our values, thoughts, even our identities—are shaped in part by 15-second clips of other people’s lives or creativity. It’s not just a tool anymore; it's a platform, a culture, a way of life.
The challenge I see, especially within the Church, is that social media gives people an instant platform to be heard and seen. And let’s be honest, we all want to be seen. We all want to be heard. Deep down, we all desire to be known.
But here’s the danger: social media gives us the illusion of vulnerability and authenticity. Real authenticity? It requires looking someone in the eye. It’s face to face. It’s slow, not instant. On social media, feedback comes from trusted and untrusted voices alike, solicited or not, and still, in the chaos of comments and views, we’re searching for that same old validation: “Am I seen?” “Am I heard?” “Am I enough?”
Let’s go back to the Bible. Let’s talk about David.
David, the youngest of eight brothers, was out in the fields when the prophet Samuel came looking for the next king. In 1 Samuel 16, God directs Samuel to Jesse’s house to anoint one of his sons. One by one, seven sons pass before Samuel, and none of them are chosen.
“Are these all the sons you have?” Samuel asked.
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” (1 Samuel 16:11)
Here’s the beauty: David wasn’t campaigning. He wasn’t self-promoting. He didn’t post about his devotion in the fields or hashtag #FutureKing. He was simply faithful where he was. And God knew exactly where to find him.
David didn’t need social media to be validated.
He didn’t need to market his value.
He trusted that God knew his name, his role, his location, and his future.
And at the right time, God sent for him.
So here’s the truth: Just when you think no one sees you, God sends for you.
Let God do the promoting. Let Him do the calling. Trust that He sees you in the quiet places, the obscure assignments, the fields where no one else is watching. He's not looking for people to share His spotlight; He's looking for those hidden in His shadow, willing to let Him take center stage.
Journal: Ask the Lord, "Where am I seeking to be glorified above You? What areas of my life can I trust that You know me and know exactly where I am?" And write down what He reveals to you.
Prayer: Father, You alone know me. You see both my strengths and my weaknesses. You know where I fall short and what distracts me from You. Help me to see where I’m trying to make a name for myself and where I may be stealing Your glory. Shape my heart to desire only to glorify You. In the quiet places, may I learn to trust that You are enough. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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