For You!

Imagine a place where you are greeted by welcoming signs that read "For You"; your friends are already gathered waiting for your arrival; friends and strangers alike clap you on the back and offer hugs of encouragement; the music is familiar and the decor is exactly what you like most; and when you are asked to share with the room -- always an intimidating moment -- you are offered witty scripts to choose from and a cadre of friends ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you. Could we be in Narnia? A 21st-century version of the latter half of Revelation? A swanky resort? Welcome to TikTok, an app that recently surpassed more than 2 billion downloads worldwide and has become a staple for Generation Z -- those in their teens through early 20s.

Born of a curious merging of former apps such as Vine, Musical.ly, Bouyin, ByteDance, and others, TikTok hit the U.S. in late 2018 and has skyrocketed in popularity in less than two years. And while U.S. officials have threatened in recent days to ban TikTok because of questionable data-gathering, the global pandemic has boosted TikTok's popularity to new levels. The question for us is, why? As we seek to share Jesus's promises of love and joy with a culture that is hurting, what can we learn from apps like TikTok where the younger generation so readily and joyfully gathers?

Pay attention to the attractors above: Users are greeted by an opening screen titled "For You," and algorithms masterfully read and anticipate personal preferences until the sounds and images that surround the user are as familiar as a childhood bedroom ... but better, as affirmations and opportunities to excel abound. The New York Times recently posited that TikTok is "rewriting the world," and we see it in TikTok's futuristic algorithms that leave users feeling both satisfied and clamoring for more. (Picture short-form videos where participants lip sync and dance to music, compete in viral challenges, share their thoughts on social trends, offer comedic skits, etc.) But what is the satisfaction, and what is the more?

Here is where we hear biblical echoes: We are living in an era when people are instantly and internationally connected, and all are exhibiting a common desire to be seen, be heard, be known, be connected, and be affirmed. We are living in a global culture that desires to live fully and joyfully, and we know that algorithms will fail and apps will fade away. So how can we be a church that recognizes the longings of this 21st-century TikTok culture and steps in graciously to share our Holy Spirit joy? How can we help those around us to feel known, heard, appreciated, and loved?

Peace on your week. And if you happen to make a TikTok or two, send the links my way!

Jennie