Creating an Online Legacy

One of the most amazing things about the Bible is that the authors didn’t fully comprehend what they were writing. As a shepherd boy, David wrote poems of praise to pass the time in the fields and journaled prayers on anguish and praise to God later in life. Paul wrote letters from a prison cell to the churches he counseled.

Similarly, in more recent history, we understand the complicated emotions of a Jewish child in hiding during World War II because of Anne Frank’s diary. We know how hard the journey through Ellis Island was for many immigrants because of historical records as well as how many people retained letters.

One of the features of Ancestry.com is the ability to read newspaper articles, letters, and oral histories about relatives. These vibrant pieces help to paint a picture of what was happening within a family during a significant point in history.

Perhaps we forget from time to time that today, we have more than newspaper articles and news reports documenting our daily history. Social media is a digital journal. Just like Anne Frank, every social channel we use can record our daily thoughts, images, and comments of the moment, likely without us considering who will see them beyond the next few hours, let alone beyond the next few centuries.

Occasionally we may regret overheated words (well, at least I do) and we’re thankful there is a delete button. That is, unless someone chooses to take a screenshot of our comments and archive them, right? While this scenario isn’t exactly true, a version of it is.

One of the first things my boss taught me when I started working in digital media is that nothing is ever wholly erased online. I know you want to believe that deleting your Facebook account is as simple as going through the steps Facebook provides, however, even if you delete your profile, your comments aren’t removed, nor are your images. Further, we’re relying on a company that’s proved repeatedly to not quite tell the truth about our data.

Essentially, when we use social media, we’re creating digital journals for future generations to view as part of our historical records. If you’re panicking right now, thinking of your great-grandchildren scrolling through your Facebook feed. Scary? I’m sorry. Stick with me for a minute, though, since we’ve already established the record isn’t going away.

James, the brother of Jesus, has a lot to say about the tongue and the power of our words. But he is gracious to begin by reminding his readers that he is writing to fellow believers. We are held accountable for what we know. And I believe this is how historians judge us as well.

James 3:1-12 says,

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.  Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?  My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

As this passage continues, the imagery James uses is powerful. The tongue directs where the body goes and can start a fire. Finally, James asks an important question: Can both freshwater and saltwater flow from the same spring? The answer is no, something James confirms as the passage ends.

James himself wasn’t always the best witness on behalf of his brother, and he grew up with the Messiah. I believe James understood from personal experience the impact of being steered the wrong way by false words.

This isn’t the only time the Bible warns us about a contradictory life. Proverbs 27:19 says, “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.”

Luke 6:43-45 says, “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers.  A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

As Christians we have the assurance that after death, we will spend eternity in heaven; however, that doesn’t mean the impact of our choices while we were on earth end. We have no idea how our digital journals will impact future generations. Your words matter, and so do the words you absorb.

Will you inspire your great-great grandchildren to dive deeper into Scripture? Will they see a digital journal reflecting a faith that grew wiser with age and experience as the years went by? Or will they see someone who was influenced by the words of peers to contradict Scripture?

Obviously, we need to live for today just as David and Paul did, but I don’t think there is harm in remembering that we are part of the lineage of believers as well. It will glorify God today and in the future, if we live such that our words reflect our hearts.

As with most things, I’ve learned I am most successful when I have a few guidelines in place. Understanding that anything posted on social media may be misunderstood, I try not to post quickly, and to always proofread my words before publishing them.

I ask myself two questions before posting: (1) If the person I invited to church saw this post, would they feel safe joining me on Sunday? and (2) Will my kids and husband read this and feel ashamed? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, then I don’t post.

Finally, I try to stay humble. Communication is about being understood, so it’s okay to have to clarify something you’ve said. If you’re unsure, don’t be afraid to ask someone you trust to review your words before you hit post. They may be able to rephrase something for you or tell you when you need to walk away and let something go. At the same time, don’t worry too much. Simply be mindful, and you’ll find your way to an online legacy that brings glory to God.

Beth Walker is a football coach’s wife and mom of two energetic boys. She strives to encourage those around her to pursue their best lives in Jesus whether she is near the game field, in church, or at the local coffee shop. As a writer, Beth has been striving to find her voice through seeing Jesus in the ordinary and extraordinary of daily life. She blogs at Lessons from the Sidelines.

Photograph © Joshua Hoehne, used with permission