This morning I went to the gym, so in need of getting all restlessness out of my body. I didn´t find my Ipod so I took my phone instead and listened randomly to the music on it while I was running. Suddenly the song "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" started playing. The line "We are slaves no more, freedom is our hope" caught my attention and there, while I was running, God reminded me how easily we as humans can become slaves. Slaves under people, ideals, things or thoughts. The word "slave" sounds so harsh but everything that control us, often unknowingly, turn us into slaves. And how many people are addicted to social media (lets be honest here) and even might feel a bit anxious if they can´t look at their phone every second minute. How will you know if that´s you? Try to not go on any social media for three days. Then you know.

I have realized, as the most of us, that social media can be an amazing place to connect and share things. And I love photography, being creative with that and then share it with the world. But it can easily take over and let our minds think more about what we should post next instead of just living in the moment and enjoy it. I so often just want to be and relax and yet my mind wonders of thinking of what could be the next great shot. And then I want the perfect shot. And then I want the perfect filter. And then I want the perfect text. Suddenly I can have wasted almost an hour over just one picture. Seriously?

And I´m trying to find the balance, between using my creativity and share great moments but also realize that every moment doesn´t need to be instagrammed. Cause sooner or later you might find yourself as just that, a slave.

So, I might be found on Instagram but today God reminded me, through this song, that first of all I am found in Him. And where He is, there is freedom. I don´t need to let these things take control over me. And I don´t need to seek attention or affirmation in the wrong things. I have already found my affirmation in God, who loves me unconditionally. 

When you look back on your life, you will not remember all those glorious days when you scrolled through Instagram or put so much time and energy in putting up a picture. No, you will remember the real moments, when you let your eyes rest on the ocean, looked at the beautiful buildings beside the street and when you looked your friend in the eye instead of the phone. Instagram in all honor, but I want to use it with wisdom. And I want to be the master of it, not the slave.