Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Why Do I Spend Time Online?




As I was scrolling through my twitter feed recently, the thought occurred to me, “Why am I on here? Is this worth my time?”  It was a good thought, in the context that when it pops up, (and different versions of it have popped up at different times, over the years,) it teaches me to take a look at my priorities, my focus, and where my balance is with online and offline life.

It was also a good thought, because almost immediately after that one, another one came into my head. “It’s a mission field.”

Why do I spend time online? Yes, I enjoy it. But I wouldn’t enjoy it if there weren’t people involved. If there was never feedback. No, I enjoy it because of the people involved.

My passion is to encourage. Impact. Love. Help. Give hope. And when I interact online – whether it’s twitter, facebook, instagram, my blog, or email…. I can do that.

Africa may be a mission field.

India may be a mission field.

Panama, Guatemala, and Europe – all….mission fields.

But so is the online world. It IS a mission field because all of the world is pretty much on it! You can reach someone in Thailand, Phillipines, or your neighborhood. You can talk to a high school student, a leadership “expert,” or a doctor. 

You don’t know who, or how many, read your words. Your thoughts.

And it matters.

It matters to me, when someone takes a minute to reply to my words. So, I know, it probably matters to them, when I take the time to respond to theirs. Even if it’s in the form of a “like,” or a “follow.” It lets them know their voice was heard. They are not alone.

They are seen.

Yes, we can all spend too much time scrolling on our phones or our computers. But we can also spend too much time watching television, reading magazines, or daydreaming.

I may not always be talking to someone at my front door, but I may be talking to someone half way across the world. And to me, that is pretty cool.

Everyone needs someone. And if people are online, then online is where I want to be. To help. To love. To give hope.

To make a difference.


No matter how silly others may think it to be.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Hello Dionna, I enjoyed your post from today, "Why Do I Spend Time Online?", I think that is an important issue. Like you, my passion is to encourage., impact, love, help and give hope. So when I interact online on any of the social media like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, or even email... I use it as a mission field.

I learned a long time ago as a Minister of Education and teacher and principal of a Christian school that the youth of today are not like the youth of my youth in the fifties or even sixties. They communicate more on social media or texting instead of face to face communication.

Following the example of Jesus who would go to where the people were and meet them where they were. Today even in a youth group before a meeting or social event they are on their smart phones or tablets, sometimes chatting with someone across the room or maybe even right next to them.

I have followers on every continent and my reach can possibly reach more people than on the radio waves or other medium. Many years ago Marshall McLuhan said; "The Medium Is the Massage", the phrase was introduced in McLuhan's most widely known book, Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man, published in 1964. He proposes that a medium itself, not the content it carries, should be the focus of study. He said that a medium affects the society in which it plays a role not only by the content delivered over the medium, but also by the characteristics of the medium itself.

Anyway that made a huge impact on me and how to present the message of the Gospel It often surprises where people come from when they comment on my posts. Anyway I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate your being online, I appreciate your emails and blogs... keep up the great work!

Thank you again and many blessings to you and your ministry online,

Bob

Dionna said...

Sorry it took me so long to reply to your comment, Bob. I appreciate what you had to say. Thanks for being an encourager and supporter!

Unknown said...

Not a problem Dionna, thank you for taking the time to respond!

Blessings,

Bob