No Mo FOMO
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10
A number of studies have shown that social media tends to depress people. Really!
While we may say that we use it to keep in touch with friends and family, all too often there’s a dark side to it.
In the blunt words of one observer, “We subconsciously use Facebook to enhance our image and tout our accomplishments in an attempt to boost our self-esteem.”
But this proves to be a double-edged sword because our friends are doing the same thing. And as we read about their wonderful lives, ours seem dull and insignificant by comparison.
Fear of Missing Out
This epidemic of comparing our lives to others has led to a new electronically spread disease. Sherry Turkle, a professor at MIT calls it FOMO: fear of missing out.
We’re afraid that other people are doing more interesting things than we are doing, or making more friends than we are making, or taking better vacations, or raising cooler kids, or losing more weight, or making more money.
That, in short, they’re winners and we’re losers.
This tendency toward self-doubt and envy has always been a human problem, but because we have more opportunity to compare than ever before, it’s fed our vulnerability to FOMO.
I recently came across some good advice that may provide a bit of relief: ”Never compare your behind the scenes with someone else’s highlight reel.” The fact is they are struggling just as much as you are, but don’t comment on their failures and flops.
Hunger for More
And yet, for all its dangers, FOMO tells us something fundamental about ourselves. We have an insatiable hunger for more. We have a deep longing for a life beyond what we’re experiencing right now.
FOMO (the fear of mission out) tells us something fundamental about ourselves. We have an insatiable hunger for more; a deep longing for life beyond what we’re experiencing right now.
The real reason that FOMO exists is that we were made for more and we are missing out. Only the more isn’t the adventure or success that one can write about on Facebook.
It’s found in a deep and ongoing relationship with Jesus. This is the meaning behind His words: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Abundant Life
Jesus wants to enrich, animate, and establish our lives. Not that life here will ever be perfect – but it can be abundant, overflowing with joy, peace, and purpose.
Jesus wants to enrich, animate, and establish our lives. Not that life here will ever be perfect – but it can be abundant, overflowing with joy, peace, and purpose.
Which is why, in the end, meaning, significance, and value aren’t found in how many friends you have on Facebook. They are found in being identified as a friend by Jesus (“I have called you friends.” John 15:15).
This friendship is part of the abundant life Jesus offers us. REAL friendship. Not the pseudo-friendship of social media. No, He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. A friend who promises to be with us always. A friend whose love never fails.
Part of the abundant life Jesus offers is friendship. REAL friendship. Not the pseudo-friendship of social media. He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother, who promises to be with us always, and whose love never fails.
The more we lean into and deepen that relationship, the more of that abundant life we will experience. And one day He promises to take us to the place He is preparing for us…a place that is beyond our wildest imaginings.
Now THAT’S a life you don’t want to miss out on!
PRAYER
Jesus, I confess that all too often I look to others for my validation rather than You. Yet You call me “friend” and You offer me abundant life. Help me to lean into that by following You closer and closer. And help me to find my worth through seeking Your face rather than in scanning Facebook.
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