By Rev. John Kwasi Fosu
A New Kind of Social Media: Get Connected now!
We live in a world that is media technologically inclined. Reflecting on today’s technology and thus the social media in particular leads me into a discovery of the existence of a kind of media technology in which the picture can be found in the Bible.
In the Old Testament, technology was used for very important things such as the building of the ark in Genesis 6. On the other hand the people of the world at a point in time wanted to use technology for evil purpose of only making a name for themselves and thus living independent of God. The story of the building of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11 serves as an example to this in the Bible. No wonder, the contemporary computer revolution comes with certain challenges. One of them is what is commonly known as computer crime or fraud.
How did Jesus use a kind of media technology of his time? An answer to this question can be found from how one defines technology. I define media technology as the progressive modification of the environment for human ends. It is a process or activity that extends or enhances a human function. A Computer for example extends one’s mental ability.
In the light of the above definition, when one thinks about the reason why Jesus collected the boat belonging to Peter in order to sit in it to preach at the direction where the wind would help in the preaching and hearing of his message, what comes to mind is that Jesus made use of the available media technology of his time (Luke 5). No wonder, today’s Christians and thus the Church are caught up in the web of social media. There is therefore the need for contemporary Christians and the Church to impact their generation by strategically utilizing the available social media in order not only to positively connect others to themselves, but most importantly to their maker and redeemer who is Jesus.
Why are people so interested in today’s social media? The fact remains that people naturally seek others to be connected with and thus befriend with. The life and ministry of Jesus serve as examples to us. Jesus in his world of interdependence in the midst of unfaithful people, called those who were connected with him and those who are now connected to him as his Friends. And basically that is what contemporary social media seek to do. However, the contemporary social media come with the challenge of meeting friends who are unfaithful and thus unreal. Yet those who are so connected and hooked to their friends on smart phones, tablets or personal computers in order to communicate make these equipment to be so close to them that the last thing they look at before they go to bed are their computers and the first thing they look for when they wake up from sleep is their computer. Some even sleep, bath, go to the washroom, drive and thus do everything with their smart phones.
As we reflect on the kind of social media that is pictured in the Bible, it is important to know that Jesus invites us and seeks to be connected with us. Every contemporary social media, be it Twitter, Google plus, Facebook or Yahoo Messenger requires that you sign in and accept to be a member. In the same way, Jesus invites us into believing and accepting him into our lives (John 1:12). In fact, getting connected to Jesus is risk free, fraud free, virus free and distance free. Revelation 3: 20 has it that Jesus stands at the door of your heart knocking. All you need for registration is to open your heart. Jesus desires not only your communion with him, but that you dine with him as well. One important thing is that you may not be able to be in eternity with the current social media. But with Jesus’ media, your eternity is assured. You will see him face to face. Some are connected to so many friends that they do not know. But as you open your heart and get connected with Jesus, he knows you intimately before the foundation of the world and thus before you were born.
To compare the contemporary social media to the new kind of media as God gives, Jesus’ social media which is the relationship that is connected with God as enshrined in the Bible, it is worth emphasizing that this kind of media is able to solve social and moral problems which the contemporary media fall short of. Computers and for that matter the internet will tell us more about how people live, but they cannot show us how to live in order to have lasting fulfillment. Thus the supreme answer to our problems is a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ which is a picture of social media in the Bible.
As you read this article and seek to be connected with Jesus’ as your new kind of social and divine network, may Jesus be like or take the place of your computer, Tablet or smart phone. As such may Jesus enter or come into your life, scan all your problems: whether physical, social, mental and or spiritual. Further, may Jesus download all your solutions, be it financial, marriage or relationships, healing, travelling opportunities, academic excellence and divine favour. And lastly like computer, may Jesus edict your tensions, stresses and crossroads of life.
Authored by Rev. John Kwasi Fosu
Amazing grace Baptist Church, Hamburg 