July 2023
Steve Russo
Lots of people want to be an influencer. It’s someone who wants to be able to generate interest in almost any kind of consumer product including gaming or even beauty tutorials, by posting mainly videos on social media. Some become ‘instafamous’ while others utilize a strategy to buy “followers” and “likes.” Many of the top influencers today have millions of subscribers.
There are agencies you can find online that will help you develop ‘authentic’ influencer communities. YouTube can be a huge tool in growing your own brand. The content can involve just about anything like crazy challenges or expensive stunts. Some influencers push the limit in what they think will generate more interest in their content to help them become popular.
When you influence it means you will have an effect on someone. It could be on their character, their behavior or even their development. But whether you strive to be one or not, everyone’s an influencer of some kind.
So, what kind of influencer are you? Who are you influencing and what are you hoping to accomplish? Even if you don’t have a huge following on social media, you’re still having an effect on other people. But what’s your motivation? Is it just for self-promotion or is it about something greater than you?
If we claim to be a follower of Jesus, then it seems natural that we should be influencing others for the Kingdom of God. Mathew, an early Jesus follower, gives us some specific instructions about the kind of influencer we should be.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
Light affects a dark room. Once you bring light into that room, it’s no longer dark. The same is true when we carry the light of the Gospel into the darkness of the world. God’s light changes the condition of the crazy, dark world in which we live.
Prayerfully ask God to use you to carry the light of the Gospel into the dark corners and recesses of life in our culture. Ask Him to make you a changemaker in a world that’s lost its way.
