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Instaloved

I love Instagram. I love making my pictures look pretty, and square, and using filters on pictures that need no filter. I love seeming hipster and artistic. I love sharing my life with my followers, most of which are my beloved family and friends.. But most of all, I love getting likes.

I love seeing those little hearts pop up at the bottom of my page, and once I post something, I wait at least five minutes to see who's going to like it first, and make sure it's a steady stream of likes. I love that people notice what I post and take the time to double tap. I know which of my posts has the most likes, and figured out what type of pictures will get the attention I so crave. I want to beat my "record of most likes on a picture". When I'm with a friend and they're on Instagram, I'm so offended if they don't like my picture. Why?

We live in a world where declarations of love, or even friendship, are rare, practically non-existent. For me, a like on my Instagram photo is a declaration of appreciation, of love. But in the long run, it's not really love. Love takes action, and two taps isn't action.

If you love someone, don't just like their photo. I mean, sure, go ahead if you want, but tell them, to their face, about how much they mean to you. What if Jesus simply said, "Yeah, I love you" but did nothing about it? We'd literally never be saved. Fun fact. One act of love can literally save humanity. And love is reduced to tapping your thumb twice on Jackie's black and white selfie captioned with a tear-jerking, inspirational quote?

Love and friendship are more than liking statuses or pictures, or even commenting. It's telling them why you love them, those little quirks and personality traits that people don't notice.

Humanity deserves a crucifixion type love, not an Instagram love.

Reach out. Love. Really love. Love like Jesus.

Can ya'll do me a solid?

Hi friends!

 

My article was published on Yahoo Voices! It was originally written as my final paper for my Theology paper for my Lay Ministry class, and I loved it so much, I decided to submit it for publication. They must have thought it was pretty swell, too, because they published it right here! If you could do me a favor and go check it out, that would mean the world to me! Thank you!