The twenty-first century has proven that technology can alter everything about our way of life. Tech can be a blessing, it can seem at times to also be a curse, a vice for some, a balm for others. 

In the western world we have all but mastered the art of digital identities, or rather the art of social media false identities. We post pictures of ourselves #livingourbestlives and tiktoks of ourselves colliding into the camera as we attempt silly dances we should have never tried in a million years. Yet, many of us refrain from deploying our faith into the digital world, whether from fear of internet trolls or simply because we haven't considered it a viable avenue for interfacing with our spirit-man. For years I avoided putting anything of real meaning on my social profiles, other than clicking the scroll down for religion and selecting Christian, never once did I consider the testimonial ramifications of this. Then I received the call on my life to prepare for full time ministry and instantly I realized, my own digital mask. I felt like Jonah, running, refusing to openly acknowledge, and profess the truth, I saw not the inside of a giant fish, but rather the “firewall”. 

This “firewall” was functioning just like any other, it was filtering content based on my pre-established security policies. I was living a digital life of fear, of spiritual reclusiveness. I had forgotten that the bible teaches us to be creative about how we gather together. “Discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love. This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing. In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning.”- ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:24-25‬ ‭TPT‬‬. 

In order to promote growth in the body we must gather together, we must interact, we must acknowledge who we are to each other. In neglecting to change the settings of my “Firewall” I was preventing my own spiritual growth as well as that of other believers. “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” - ‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NLT Since the first Century Believers have used the most current technology to spread the good news it just so happens that these were letters in Paul’s day and age. The holy Spirit is the agency of authority that unites the believers when they are unable to be united. 

Recalibration is required. I must start to interact within the digital world with intentionality towards spiritual formation and growth. Let's set our “firewalls” to God’s Word, protecting and filtering the weapons formed against us. Thus, allowing for the promotion of community and growth amongst the body of believers and the engagement in our digital Koinonia, our fellowship that resides in gifs, hashtags and keystrokes.