The One About “Influencing..”
We are living in a world today that is very self aware. We have our social media accounts, we have our tiktoks, our instagrams, our reels, etc and I have been struggling trying to navigate the balance between it all and the constant question, “is this right?"
As a follower of Jesus, I cannot shake the truth that we are called to walk in humility. Humility isn’t meant to degrade us or belittle us but instead shows us that the real strength and power comes from God and Him alone. It allows us to recognize that we are made in His image and that is honorable in itself. He is the One who gave us life in the first place. Yet, here we are, some selling themselves out online to be gawked at, to be worshiped, to influence others, to be seen, validated, to be praised, and to be loved. I would be right there with you saying, “Yeah, what is wrong with that? I love myself and I am having a good time. I need to “hustle” and everyone else is doing it. It feels good honestly. I love doing this..”
I would agree with you too and I have been there before, except, these scriptures ring in my ear and are unshakeable.
“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12: 25-26
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5
“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24
“But from those who were influential (whatever they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism between people)—those influential leaders added nothing to my message.” Galatains 2: 2-6
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2: 15-17
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatains 1:10
These are just SOME scriptures that come to mind. I truly feel like we are becoming so desperate to be accepted in this world that we are disregarding the truth that our true identity is found in Jesus. We are tossing aside the importance of our inheritance, our sonship, our abundant and free life that we have been given, all to be loved by the world who killed a perfect man. Our most truest and most satisfied selves are found in Jesus. He is the One who made the people you want to look at you, praise you, feed into what you post. He is the OWNER of all things. It would make sense for us to baoast in Him and Him alone.
With our world of influencing, I am constantly trying to hear from Jesus on what is beneficial and what is rotten fruit. I am not perfect and I post things that I end up questioning later or I post with selfish motives and feel convicted later on. I am really trying to pursue what it means to deny myself and let Him be exalted, to not think of myself as less than but to simply think of myself less. It isn’t easy and I don’t always get it right, but I am so thankful for His grace that meets me every single day. I believe my eyes are being opened more and more on how to use our platforms for good and not what the enemy would want us to use it for. It’s putting pride aside and leaning into the posture of your heart.
This world will fade away one day and we will meet Him face to face. Let your time on earth be one of getting to know Him, making Him known, being loved by Him and loving Him. Let your influencing be one that brings fruit not greed.
Keep on the narrow path sister, I promise it will be worth it.
Our Father is good and He will meet our every need. Let yourself fall into His arms, let yourself trust Him, fully and completely abandoned to Him.’