The Most Dangerous Selfie Ever?

By Lance Cordle

    In 2013, the word “selfie” officially became a word, being included by both American Heritage and Oxford Dictionaries. According to an article in Time.com, it was actually coined in 2002 when a Australian photographed the results of his face-first fall down some steps (NewsFeed.Time.com, No- vember18, 2013). The term basically refers to a photograph (usually taken with a smartphone) that is of the taker (sometimes with others)  and then posted on social media. The situations range from comical, to scandalous, even  outrageous.  Because of the popularity of the action, as well as  the scandalous nature of many of the photos, 2013 has sometimes been called “The Year of the Selfie.”
     Now, in 2014, comes another selfie, this one in the realm of the danger- ous (The Daily Mail, February 4, 2014). A young man, identified  only as “Christian” is captured by a photographer as he snaps his selfie. Christian is pictured running with bulls in Houston, Texas over the weekend. Christian holds the smartphone in typical “selfie” style (arm up and in front of him, backhand to people). Walla! Instant social media craze! The Daily Mail reporter asks the important question, “Is this the most dangerous selfie ever?” You see, the bull was right behind Christian and could have easily injured or killed him.
     Though the social media craze is recent, doing odd things, scandalous things and dangerous things in the interest of promoting oneself is not so new. Pride will motivate people to do some pretty ridiculous things. 
     My point is not to condemn all self-taken photographs, or even the post- ing of such. But there is an inherent danger with constant occupation with self. In the name of popularity, fame, and other motivations, we can, at least forfeit our good influence and at worst, forfeit our soul.
     Marriages and families are endangered when self is exalted. Friendships of long or short term can be ended quickly when self is emphasized to the exclusion and/or belittlement of others. The paradox of self-exaltation is that, eventually, the people a person is  trying to impress, turn away  because such behavior repels them.
     Paul put it this way: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to  his own interests, but also to the interest of others” (Philippians 2:3, 4 ESV).
            
- via The Encourager, the weekly bulletin for the Calvert City Church of Christ, Calvert City, KY.  Lance Cordle preaches for the congregation.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com