As much as I love cooking at home, I also love going out to eat with my husband. More than a meal out, it’s a time for us to talk uninterrupted. I’ll never forget the evening we were out at a restaurant, enjoying a conversation and noticed a young couple at another table – obviously on a date – but each absorbed in their phones.
My husband gave me a look.
I answered with a look.
After you’ve been married awhile, sometimes a look is all it takes to communicate everything that needs to be said. I can’t help but wonder whether that young couple ever got to this point in their relationship.
Social media – technologies like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube have captivated our attention. According to Investopedia, more than 4.7 billion people use social media, that’s about 60% of the world’s population.
While there are many downsides to our obsession with social media, it can also be a positive resource in our lives. For me, a case in point is Instagram. If you’re not familiar with Insta (as the cool kids say) it's a photo and video sharing social networking service owned by Meta – the same folks who own Facebook.
My youngest daughter introduced me to Instagram so I could see her friend’s home decorating efforts. I thought that was all I’d use it for, but slowly that changed. I discovered others sharing their home projects, recipes, books, and still others sharing about faith – scriptures, quotes from spiritual giants, videos from Christian speakers, etc. It was encouraging, and the messages always seemed to pop into my feed at just the right time.
Was the Holy Spirit using these channels to touch my heart? Perhaps.
All I know is that I now follow quite a few faith-focused accounts, and when I need a quick sip of encouragement, I allow myself a few minutes to scroll. It helps get my thoughts and heart back in line. Is it a substitute for Bible study? ABSOLUTELY NOT. But when time is short – in the line at the grocery store, waiting for a doctor’s appointment – it’s a booster shot of holy thinking. In the rest of this post I will share four of my favorite accounts and why I like them. I encourage you to check them out.
Worshipblog
This account presents thought-provoking quotes from giants in the faith such as Charles Spurgeon, A.W. Tozer, David Wilkerson, and C. S. Lewis, as well as their own remarks that remind us of spiritual truths and encouragement. For example:
“Don’t feel ashamed for something that honors God, no matter how weak or foolish it makes you look in the eyes of unbelievers” @worshipblog
Iansimkins
Ian Simkins is a pastor with the rare gift of being able to boil down an entire thought-provoking sermon into mere sentences across a few screens. Here’s his website’s about page if you want to know more before checking him out on “the gram.”
Benih Kecil (small seed)
Oh, how I love Benih Kecil. I can’t find a website for this poster, so I can’t tell you about him or her personally. I think the account might originate in Indonesia or maybe Malaysia. It consists of simple drawings of Father God and a little girl. In the drawings, God reassures her of his constant love, presence and work in her life. It’s so sweet and beautiful. I see myself in the little girl so often.
Elisabethelliot Speaks
elisabethelliot speaks is an account sharing the thoughts and words of Elisabeth Elliot, quoted directly from her books and talks. Elisabeth Elliot was a Christian missionary, author, and speaker. Her first husband, Jim Elliot, was killed in 1956 while attempting to make missionary contact with the Auca people of eastern Ecuador. She later spent two years as a missionary to the tribe members who killed her husband. I can't imagine having the courage ... or the love ... to do this. Elisabeth Elliot teaches me something every day.
What accounts do you follow on Instagram?