Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop–on a light stand – Shine. Keep an open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 The Message
Football season is finally here, and it is no secret that the older Micklers are huge UGA fans! We both attended there for our college years, loved every minute, and yelled Go Dawgs with enthusiasm. We also influenced our children to take the right path. We did our best to influence them to attend UGA as well, and we were confident they would.
However, we apparently failed miserably! In our family, we now have four graduates of the University of Mississippi, three students currently attending there, and one who just got accepted! The influencers were obviously Ole Miss grads, and now we have been influenced to also yell, Hotty Toddy!
The word influencer in this world of today now has two definitions. The general (or normal) definition is: Anyone who exerts influence or guides the actions of other people. The social media and digital definition in modern culture is as follows: Someone who builds a loyal following on platforms like Tik Tok, Instagram, or You Tube by sharing content in a specific niche.
The influencers of today have built a loyal online audience and use their voice, trust, and content to shape the opinions, behaviors, or buying choices of others. Although I am far from an expert on this new trend, it appears that it has gone far beyond its original intent.
On Monday night during Naomi Osaka’s first round victory at the U.S. Open, a spectator was caught on camera using a bright right light to take pictures of herself during the match. She was an influencer. A larger group of influencers in a suite, began to follow suit taking videos of themselves during the match. The chair umpire eventually asked them to take their seats.
The players and spectators were upset. Osaka said, “I think it’s just common courtesy when you come to a sporting event, you respect the rules.” The conversation in the stands quickly spread to the rise of influencers and how they were spoiling the match.
When did we get to the point where we allow a small group of people to break the rules and influence others to do the same?
We influence others in our daily lives and whether it is for good or bad, we need to be aware of others that are watching and learning from us. For example, a mother took her young son shopping. After shopping in one store, the clerk handed the young boy a lollipop. “What do you say, the mother said to the boy?” The boy replied, “Charge it!” Parents do influence their children whether we like it or not.
Another mother was taking her little boy to school because his dad had to go to work early. Halfway there, the little boy said, “Mom, where are the idiots?” “What do you mean,” asked the Mom. “Well,” said the boy, “Usually Dad and I see at least three or four idiots on our way to school.”
We influence others in so many ways, and we probably aren’t even aware. The ways are varied such as; sports, cars, houses, hobbies, habits, vacations, clothing, food, and even religion. We can influence others for Christ by our love and devotion, or we can influence others against Christ by our negative attitude and actions.
What are we doing as Christians to influence people for Christ? Dolly Parton has gotten a lot of attention since her sudden and untimely death. People are amazed when they hear all they she did for others. This woman did her influencing quietly and by example through her sweet spirit and loving heart. What an example of a dedicated and influencing Christian!
Edgar A. Guest in his poem entitled, Sermons We See, said:
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day. I’d rather one would walk with me than merely tell the way. The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear. Fine counseling is confusing, but example is always clear.
We all have influence. The question is, in what direction is our influence leading others? We all need to think how we can influence others for good rather than self promotion.
Dwight L. Moody was once criticized for a grammatical error he made in his sermon. He replied,” I am using all the grammar I know for Jesus Christ. Are you?”
A real relationship with God is the starting point for influencing others. Let your light shine for Him this week!