The best filter ever

Google "best selfie filter apps" and you will find over 2 million results in under a minute. You'll also find which filters are best for the perfect selfie. You can find apps to add phrases to your selfies, cartoon yourself, make your selfie look surreal, make cosmetic changes like hide blemishes or change the tone of your skin, make you look taller or have larger eyes, overlay images on your selfie, and my favorite – make you look more SPARKLY!!

Everyone looks to someone for information on who they are, what their purpose in life is, whether they are beautiful, strong enough, funny, worth anything – whether they belong. And in the age of social media, there is NO shortage of people willing to share their opinion about you, critique you, judge you.

But who do you choose to listen to? If you listen to social media, you may fall prey to mental health problems. Even some of our favorite songs are inundated with an inappropriate and unhealthy focus on sexuality – regardless of the genre you listen to. TV shows, movies, news – you name it – there are unhealthy messages all around us, vying for our attention and ear.

Several years ago, I was a small group Disciple Now leader. I don't remember the theme of the weekend, but the youth ministers gave everyone a small round mirror with a gold cross sticker stuck right in the center. The idea was to ask yourself whether or not your reflection was one of Christ. What did others see in you? This idea stuck with me and years later in counseling ministry, I have found myself asking others "Do you see yourself as Christ sees you?" when you look in the mirror? Do you see your reflection filtered through the cross?

An important part of a healthy personal foundation is exploring and knowing who Christ created you to be. God created us, male and female, in His image (Gen. 2:26-27). There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ – we are free (Romans 8:1-2). He has plans to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). But it is only through transformation and renewing of your mind that you will be able to decipher the good and acceptable will of God (Romans 12:2). Biblical truth is the only source to choose by which you define yourself. And when you choose to use God's filter, you'll truly take the best selfie ever!