Influencers Say, “Look at Me!”
Many little children (and big ones too!) really want attention. They do all kinds of things to try to get a special someone to notice them. Sometimes, they even misbehave in order to get what they want. Even if they are disciplined, they have received what they wanted in the first place—attention.
We sometimes watch home movies of our children. The attention theme runs through most of them. Some feature musical productions choreographed by Stephanie, the oldest. She always directs Austin and Aubri to perform for the camera. (Do you think there is anything to be inferred from the fact that the girls were much more the camera hogs than was their brother?)
We live in the age of “influencers.” Here is a definition I found for an influencer. It is “the power to affect the purchasing decisions of others because of his or her authority, knowledge, position, or relationship with his or her audience.” The vast majority of these influencers have their effect through social media. A survey from statista.com says that the number of people using social media has risen from 2.73 billion in 2017 to 5.17 in 2024. They project that number to rise to 5.85 billion by 2027! Everyone of them is saying, “Look at me!”
May I suggest that Paul was the first influencer who said that? “Imitate me just as I also imitate Christ.” (I Corinthians 11:1). He wanted others to look at him and follow him. He did not shy away from the spotlight. He knew his influence and he was willing to use it.
As an influencer, he clearly stated that he had not been perfect. “…although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man…” (I Timothy 1:13). Neither was he now perfect. “Brethren I do not count myself to have apprehended…” (Philippians 3:13). That means he had not arrived at the place he wanted but he was continuing to climb.
Jesus called for influencers. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14, 16). Now, notice what He said in verse 13, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” Jesus said two things: You will either be good for God or you will be good for nothing!
Influencers influence. That is what they do. All Christians are influencers. It is who we are and what we do. We are going to be seen. Some people will watch us to see if we live what we preach. Others will watch us hoping to see us fall flat on our faces. However, some will be watching to learn. They want to know what is right and are watching our lives to find it. It has rightly been said, “Your life is the only Bible some people will ever read.” Does our interpretation of the Christian lifestyle accurately reflect what God says? Are you willing to say with Paul, “Look at me!”
— Mike Johnson
