“All About the SELFIE…”

With the launch of the iPhone and Smartphone technology came the ability of the user to take pictures of themselves.

A selfie is a self-portrait photograph, typically taken with a hand-held digital camera or camera phone. Selfies are often shared on social networking services such as Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr and Twitter. They are usually flattering and made to appear casual. Most selfies are taken with a camera held at arm's length or pointed at a mirror, rather than by using a self-timer.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selfie

ABC even has a new TV series premiering called “Selfie.” It is an upcoming American situation comedy series that is loosely based on My Fair Lady, set in the world of social media. Using a premise similar to Pygmalion and My Fair Lady, the series will follow the life of Eliza Dooley (a modern day version of Eliza Doolittle), a woman obsessed with becoming famous through the use of social media platforms (including the use of Instagram and taking selfies.)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selfie_(TV_series)

I see the relevance when it comes to group shots. I have always been a “picture-taking fanatic.” I was so consumed with capturing special moments that I was rarely in them. I have little evidence that I actually enjoyed the events.

However, we have become so obsessed with “selfies” that I cannot help but be concerned that we no longer see anyone else. God created us to serve others. Not to idolize ourselves. If we are so consumed with ourselves, how can you see the person struggling beside you?

The Bible cautions us in this thought-process of only “thinking of ourselves”:

Mark 12:31 (NKJV): …‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Psalm 37:4 (NKJV): Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Titus 2:7 (NKJV):  in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,

2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV): Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Philippians 2:3 (NKJV): Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

James 3:16 (NKJV): For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

Matthew 23:12 (NKJV): And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.  [exalt: to raise (someone or something) to a higher level; to praise (someone or something) highly http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exalt  ]

Romans 12:2 (NKJV): And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

(Conform is defined as: to be similar to or the same as something; to obey or agree with something; to do what other people do; to behave in a way that is accepted by most people http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conform )

“Selfies” are fun to take. However, we must be cautious in being so "self-absorbed," that we lose sight of what GOD wants us to do…