When last did you take a photo of yourself purely to post it on social media? I am guessing for a majority of people it was probably today. Our younger generation has perfected the selfie-trend. Social media is flooded with photos of the self from all possible angles.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a positive self-image. We all need a strong and positive perception of ourselves. We were created in the image of God and as such we were created to be happy with our own image. The problem is not necessarily with taking the selfie, but more often than not the reason behind feeling the need to post all the photos on social media. A platform which is basically open for all to see and criticize.
What drives our need for validation from others? Why do we send our picture into the world with the expectation of getting “likes” from others which sometimes include total strangers? Do we have a deep-rooted need for approval from others? I can fully understand needing some sort of validation from those closest to you, because we all want to be recognized as part of our inner social circle.
Seeking validation is not just limited to selfies being posted on social media. Validation seeking takes on many different forms. You will find some people will go to great lengths to let everyone know of all of their accomplishments. They will even stress the difficulties endured in accomplishing the specific task. Some would constantly seek approval by being overly willing to do tasks and favours for others with the hopes of being acknowledged.
Our lives have in some ways been reduced to what others think of us and they are most probably followers on social media platforms.
All this is very concerning and even a bit mind-boggling since we were created in God’s image and validated by God. The God who created heaven and earth and all creatures on and in it, also took time to create you and me. He gave us humans all the qualities He possessed. He chose us. We are mirror images of this God and yet we seek validation from other fallible humans.
God had you in mind as you are when He made you. He did not create you thinking that you would have to seek validation from other humans or would need improvement. The only improvement He requires from us, and that we need, is to strive to be more and more like God. We don’t need to listen to those who deem us unworthy.
God has created you in your mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13-17 gives a detailed picture of your creation. For You formed my innermost parts; You knit me [together] in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being formed in secret, and intricately and skillfully formed [as if embroidered with many colours] in the depths of the earth. Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were appointed for me, when as yet there was not one of them [even taking shape]. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! {The Message}
This means that you are indeed enough. You are worthy. You do not need approval from others to be who you are. You are a chosen child of God and He has specific ideals for you. You only need to pay attention to His voice.
Never take your chosenness for granted but instead celebrate it as Henri Nouwen stated it so beautifully:
“The greatest spiritual battle begins - and never ends – with the reclaiming of our chosenness. Long before any human being saw us, we are seen by God’s loving eyes. Long before anyone heard us cry or laugh, we are heard by our God who is all ears for us. Long before any person spoke to us in this world, we are spoken to by the voice of eternal love”