As I was checking out blogs the other day, I came across one by a Christian woman that took me a bit by surprise.  The most recent post discussed the evils of Facebook, and likened a Christian spending time on Facebook to going into a bar with the intention of witnessing.  I have heard a lot of jokes lately about “Facebook addicts” (some directed at me), so I began to ponder this…Is Facebook a worldly evil?  Is it a ministry tool?  Facebook is marketed as a social networking site.  It is a tool, and like any tool, it can be used for good or bad.  I believe that “the Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” (Psalm 24:10), so in my mind, that includes all technology, including Facebook.

     Facebook has been a blessing that has allowed me to:

• Renew contact with long-lost friends– After I joined Facebook, I regained contact with many Christian friends that I used to know from church, friends I attended graduate school with, and many others.  It is great to be able to return to a friendship, and find that even with the passage of time and geographic distance, you can still relate.  You can still talk, reminisce, catch-up, and be social.
• Maintain closer contact with family and friends–Many of my family members, my husband’s family, new friends, and colleagues are also on Facebook.  We never see each other in person as much as we would like, but this site allows us to share family photos, and to keep up with how everyone is doing.  If a friend leaves an update that she is having a rough time or a bad day, she gets quick responses from others to cheer her up and bring encouragement.  I have seen prayer requests, programs that allow you to send scripture to friends, and a birthday calendar (a really great blessing to me!).   I am able to keep up with people so much more effectively.  I have also received travel advice, recipes, and praise reports on this program.  Social contact makes people happy!
• Have fun and enjoy my leisure time–I have not thought much about trying to witness to people on Facebook–the thought of it sounds awkward to me.  I see my time spent on Facebook as down-time, leisure time, recreation.  Everyone needs a breather now and then, and I find it refreshing to see what my friends and family are up to and how they are getting along. 

     That said, anything can be bad if it is taken to extremes.  Anything can become an idol in our lives if it steals time away from God and what we really should be doing.  It’s probably not a good idea to spend time on Facebook when you are at work (depending on the nature of your job), or to the point that you are neglecting face-to-face relationships with family and friends.  While some people might see it as a time-waster, I don’t see anything wrong with using Facebook as long as we keep it in balance and enjoy it in moderation.

     Finally, if you do find yourself with a “friend” who tends to leave a lot of updates or comments that you find distasteful or offensive, Facebook allows users to “block” a friend, to “unfriend” and to filter what people can see.