The popularity of Facebook since its launch in 2004 is nothing short of phenomenal. Despite the legal challenges the company has had and launching certain applications that have challenged it and its users along the way – it continues to grow at a rapid rate. As of the end of 2013, it boasted 1.23 billion monthly users and over 750 million day users.
One of main aspects of Facebook is how much they know about you. With the latest Messenger app they launched, they apparently have access to almost everything on your phone, including tallying all the apps you use and, according to one article, all your data and friends’ contact information on your phone, and many other invasive ‘features’ that you give them permission to access when one installs it. Facebook already has a lot of private information about people, and apparently now they can access even more about them. The general public seems to have become used to the idea that much of their privacy is out there for all to see.
One thing (for now anyway!) that is still private are our thoughts and feelings. However, even those are not as private as one might think.
“God’s word is alive and working and is sharper than a double-edged sword. It cuts all the way into us, where the soul and the spirit are joined, to the center of our joints and bones. And it judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts. Nothing in all the world can be hidden from God. Everything is clear and lies open before him, and to him we must explain the way we have lived.” (Hebrews 4:12,13 NCV)
As can be seen from the above piece, God and his word know everything about you – nothing is hidden or secret.
This however does not have to be a frightening or terrifying thing. On the contrary, my life being open and exposed before God means that he is able to help and change me to what he always purposed me to be.
When I make the conscious decision to ask God to come into my life and as a result he makes the life changing result; then as I grow in this life with God he continues to work with me. As I yield to him he changes my motives and ambitions to fit in with His purpose for me, not my own. This can be seen in the following section from his word:
“Lord, you have examined me
and know all about me.
You know when I sit down and when I get up.
You know my thoughts before I think them.
You know where I go and where I lie down.
You know everything I do.
Lord, even before I say a word,
you already know it.
You are all around me—in front and in back—
and have put your hand on me.
Your knowledge is amazing to me;
it is more than I can understand.” (Psalm 139: 1-6 NCV)
You can tell from the author’s tone that he sees this as being a very positive and secure thing. This is a comforting thing then, not an invasive probe into my life. How great to live openly before God, working with him in his purpose in my life – not fighting against him which is what happens when we don’t know him personally. He only wants what is best for me – not to invade into my life to hold anything over me or against me.
“God, examine me and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any bad thing in me. Lead me on the road to everlasting life.” (Psalm 139: 23,24 NCV)
What a joy to live an open life before God!
If you would like to visit about a life with God, you can write me at: gloriawes@hotmail.com, and I will chat with you.