Yesterday marked in my opinion a truly cringe worthy celebration. It was National Selfie Day, established in 2014 by DJ Rick McNeely from Fishbowl Radio Network in Arlington, TX. This was intended as a fun promotional for the radio network, but it grew into a charitable event.
With 97% of Americans owning a smartphone, we always have a camera in our hands and have taken it upon ourselves to document everything that happens in our lives. In fact, several classifications for selfies have been given.
Duck Face Selfie. Admittedly, this is my least favorite and annoys me to no end. “The subject pushes out their lips almost as if going for an exaggerated kiss but it turns into a duckbill instead. Hence, the duck face.” Please be sure to add the peace hand gesture.
Car Selfies. “Social media is full of channels with videocasts located from the seat of one’s car. They’re informative, helpful, political, and funny. So, it shouldn’t surprise us that car selfies are a thing, too.”
Bathroom Selfies. These are the selfies taken while standing in front of the mirror. “Where do we look our best? Before the wind and stress of life hit us, we look our best in the bathroom.”
Pet Selfies. “Next to our life partners, who do we love the most? Our pets. We take
selfies with our cats, dogs, lizards, parrots, and so many more pets.”
Bestie Selfie. “Our besties might tie with pets for our love. It depends on the person. Either way, we take lots of selfies with our besties. #BFF, right?”
Foodie Selfies. Yes, there are those who believe everyone is interested in what they are eating. Now, I will admit. While camping at Hickory Acres, their camp store has banana pudding ice cream. It is one of the best things I’ve ever had to eat!!! Before driving to my bus, I would stop in and get a dish, snap a picture of myself and the blessed ice cream, send it to my wife, and I wrote, “Lunch is served!! Best lunch ever!!” However, that was only for her, not the world. I wanted her to share in my euphoria!
Gym Selfie. “Speaking of looking our best, sometimes a gym selfie is necessary to show progress. It also gives our friends the opportunity to say, “Hey, I haven’t seen a gym selfie lately. Are you slacking?””
Celebrity Selfie. “If you find yourself on the train, in a coffee shop, or just on the street and see your favorite musician, author, or television celebrity, you’re going to stop and ask for a selfie. These popular little selfies make the rounds.”
Travel Selfies. Now, these I actually find interesting because you get to see what others are seeing in other places of the world. “The Eiffel Tower. The Grand Canyon or the Hollywood sign. Broadway lights. Selfies in front of these epic locations add to a traveler’s collection. They’re like postcards to yourself.” I would say that the Eiffel Tower is much grander and worthier to be shared than the picture of your cheeseburger at 5 Guys!1
I’ve never enjoyed having my picture taken so I don’t take pleasure in the thought of selfies. There are some groups and religious sects who prohibit or restrict their pictures being taken. The Mennonites of Bolivia, older Amish and Mennonite groups 
in the United States, Native Americans and Aborigines of Australia all have strict rules concerning photography.
I do not believe it is inherently wrong or sinful to take a selfie. However, there is a fine line that can be crossed if this behavior becomes obsessive. Let’s remember our purpose in life.
Isaiah 43:5-7 says, “ Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; (6) I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; (7) Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” The vast majority of selfies are not about bringing glory to our Maker. They are about bringing glory to ourselves.
Since God is always looking at our hearts and He knows our true motivation behind everything we do, let’s be careful in all we say and do, including our selfies. May we never forget that we are bound by 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God,” and John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
1https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-selfie-day-june-21
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