Reaching Out through Social Media by Edie Melson

AWSA Member & LH Columnist Edie —WWW.EDIEMELSON.COM

WHEN GOD CALLED ME INTO MINISTRY, I thought my life would look a lot different than how it’s played out. I envisioned speaking at women’s ministry events like retreats, luncheons and even conferences. Instead, God uses me primarily through the written word. Yes, I write books and articles, but the place where I’ve found the most ministry fruit is through social media and the women I reach online.

Social media gets a bad rap these days. It seems well earned, but the issue isn’t really with social media; it’s with the people who use it. Online interactions can seem shallow at times and outright vicious at others. There are the dangers of being harassed, having identities stolen and even worse.

But isn’t this exactly the type of place that Jesus has called us to go? God’s Word is clear that we are called to be a light in the darkness. There’s no place darker than the world of social media.

Jesus was clear. He came to save to sick, not the well. There’s not much sicker than the half-truths and twisted concepts of God and the world than what we see on social media. He told us to go out into the world. For us, that includes the World Wide Web.

We are in a war. Our weapons are our words, our pens and laptops and the books, articles, and social media posts we write. Our Leader has called us to a purpose — bring His light to a dark world. When we head out on that mission, we draw enemy fire.

But we are called for such a time as this. It’s no mistake that we were born in this time and place. God didn’t make a goof. He’s not sitting in heaven shaking His head because He forgot we’d have to deal with online issues.

God is perfect with His plan, preparation and place:

• in His plan for us.

• in His preparation of us.

• in the time where He’s placed us.

He ordained us for this time. And He’s calling His people to ministry in this difficult medium. We cannot abandon those online to lies of the enemy. Instead, we need to stay the course and understand the importance of our interactions on social media matter. We can make a difference in the lives we touch there.

We must not shrink from the difficulties that come with interacting through social media. For the first time ever, we can reach the world without leaving home. No wonder Satan wants to convince us it’s too hard, too meaningless, too much work. He’s trying to handicap us with fear because He’s scared of what God can do with a few committed believers willing to make a difference through the tools He’s given us.

LH

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