By 
Several years ago, one of my sisters decided to give up Facebook for Lent. She inspired me to do the same. It seemed like an easy choice, to relegate giving up social media for Lent to the same trivial category as giving up gum, soda, or chocolate. It turned out not to be. However, I have come back to this “social media fast” over and over. Each year has brought a new lesson from the Lord, always timely yet never anticipated. I now look forward to the approaching Lenten season with great expectation.
I use Facebook just like you—to communicate, to keep in contact with friends and family. It also is very important to me as a witnessing and encouraging tool, to spread the Gospel. So when the Lord put it on my heart to give up Facebook for Lent I was taken aback, but did it anyway. I started my “fast” by replacing that time with “feasting” on God’s Word. As I began to add more time to my day reading the Bible, I learned something new everyday. I wanted to share what I was learning with my friends, you guessed it—ON FACEBOOK—but couldn’t. And what’s more, I became rather emotional about it despite thinking it was silly to be upset about so trivial a thing as social media.
Two weeks into Lent I went to God in prayer. I had a conversation with Him that went something like this:
Me: “God, you told me to give up Facebook for Lent, and I did. I’ve been spending time with You in Your Word instead.”
God: “I know. Thank you.”
Me: “God, why would You show me something so exciting in Your Word today, and not allow me to share it with the world on Facebook? You know how I love to do that, and I thought it was something You wanted me to do that was pleasing to You.”
God: “It is, but I just want you to spend time with Me today.”
Me: “But God, You made me this way, made me have the desire to share with others the Truth, the lessons You reveal to me. I don’t get it! Why do You want me to not do that right now?”
God: “Some things I reveal to you are just intended for you. You need to learn to discern which Word is intimately for you, and which Word is for everyone through you. Until then, be quiet.”
I felt confused, humbled and surprised. God’s Word says a lot about this intimate, special relationship He desires with us. Here are a few easy ones just for starters:
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7 (NIV)
“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:6 (NASB)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV)
Intimacy with the Lord is not unlike other earthly relationships in which we are called to personal conversation, familiarity, and confidentiality, as we are in marriage. Some things are just between you and your spouse. Some things God intends to be just between you and Him and some things are meant to be shared.
Learning the difference can be difficult when you are the type of person who is compelled to give your testimony or teach about the Lord. Sometimes, even for those of you who feel obligated to share like me, God has a nugget that is just for you. Or perhaps He wishes you would save it in your mind for just the right person, at just the right moment.
My point is this: we do not have to always speak in public what the Lord has told us in confidence. When the Lord speaks, it is true. It will happen. Our words do not add to its trueness; rather it is a matter of pride. The desire to publicly share what God has taught, revealed, or promised can only come from a place of obedience and love of the Lord, not as a way to legitimize ourselves or to demonstrate authority over another.
So I learned to keep my mouth shut that year. I also learned that if I messed up and “spilled it”, that was okay too. The lesson is in obedience more that anything. When the Lord says to do something, we do it. When the Lord says to not do something, we don’t. When the Lord says “OK, now is the time” we respond, thankful for the lesson and the freedom to pass it on.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV)
Emily Smith
As Womenary's Administrative Director, Emily Smith assists the Executive Director, manages marketing and media, and other various administrative tasks. This includes helping with classes, managing Social Media accounts, managing graphic creation and the website, creating web forms, overseeing the blog, assisting students and professors as well as various other digital duties.
Emily became a Womenary student in 2011, joined the Board of Directors in 2015, then transitioned to the staff position of Administrative Director in 2016.
Emily and her husband are active in their local church, enjoy the outdoors and spending time with their 2 adult children and their families.
You can contact Emily at media@Womenary.com. 
