Filters

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Confessions. 

I follow people I have never met on Instagram. 

I enjoy browsing through their pictures. I could probably classify this under the “unprofitable” uses of my time. In my defense I do limit whom I follow to those who are uplifting and/or informational. I attended a church conference a few months ago and a few people I follow were also attending. Instagram and other social media sites are so interesting as they create a false sense of relationship. I see the picture of their families birthdays, their favorite cat or restaurant. I see the great church services that they attended and read about scriptures that touched them. It makes you feel like you “know” them. So as I saw these people I “stalk” on Instagram I wanted to say “hello!! It’s me!!” Then I stepped back and realized, wait I don’t really know them and they definitely have no clue who I am. Our worlds obsession with social media has created a whole new sense of relationship. We see the filtered view of people and think we know them. 

In this verse, God is specifically speaking to the prophet Jeremiah, but I believe the sentiment holds true to each and every person he created. He really knows us! He created every nook and has explored every part of our heart. He knows us! He knows our fears, our desires, our dislikes and our dreams.  He knows us! He sees the unfiltered version of our lives And still… I can’t stress that enough… still wants to have a relationship with us. No matter how long our list of flaws he sees the potiental of possibility in each of his creations. 

Today, see through his eyes. What are you truly capable of when you surrender to his will? Look at those around you. What plans does God have for their lives? How can you be used in their lives? When we look through the lense of Instagram or other media outlets there is truly a filter hiding our true selves. It is easy to hide pain, failures and feelings of inadequacy. If we start seeing ourselves and others through the eyes of the one who created us, the one who knows us all, our outlook will change and we will then be equipped to change our world.