Full disclosure or necessary disclaimer, before I begin. I am not, nor have I ever been, on Facebook or TikTok or Twitter (now X, I guess) or Instagram or anything else, so I don’t know a lot about this, but I hear the term “influencer” often these days. It seems to be the new cool thing to be. So I’m wondering if “influencer” is now like a career choice or is it just a side gig that some people choose to do? Is “influencer” something you can put on your resume under “work experience”?

If you are an influencer, are you self-employed or does someone hire you to influence other people? Now something occurs to me. Isn’t this what we used to call “spokespersons?”, who were people, such as famous athletes, who were hired to promote certain products? They would get paid to endorse particular brands or products. Well, that’s been going on for years – well-known actors or athletes hired for the purpose of selling us stuff. Maybe just the name has changed. We now call them “influencers.”

Sounds so important, doesn’t it? When asked what you do for a living, you simply reply – “I’m an influencer.” (I wonder if that requires a four-year degree or if you need a masters degree to be an influencer?) Something to ponder. Just how does one become an influencer anyway? Although, it occurs to me that we are all influencers at times, while at other times we are “the influenced.”

I find myself wondering, who or what do I allow to influence me? And who am I influencing for better or for worse? Social media provides a plethora of platforms a person can use to become an influencer. In fact, I have a nephew who is a successful influencer on social media in the world of competitive swimming. He’s so good at what he does, he was sent to Paris to cover the Olympic swimming events. Being an influencer has its perks!

Turns out, being an influencer is no longer just for the famous Hollywood or sports icons. Everyday people can become influencers by gaining a following on social media spaces such as YouTube, with podcasts etc. There are even categories of influencers based on number of social media followers such as mega influencer, macro influencer, micro influencer, and nano influencer. But even the nano influencer can have up to ten thousand followers. And that’s considered a small sphere of influence.

While the name “influencer” sounds very cool and cutting edge to me, I think it is a job title I can never aspire to given my lack of involvement with technology in general (I have a flip phone) and the fact that I only come into contact with a very small number of people on a daily, weekly, yearly or even a lifetime basis. Perhaps I would do better to stick with what I’m already doing or consider something less glamorous than “influencer” for my next career move.

BUT – there’s always a “but” right? It occurs to me that I’ve already been given the job of “influencer” by my Heavenly Father, my Creator, my Redeemer. He redeemed me for a purpose and as it turns out, that purpose is for me to be an influencer. I can find my job description recorded in Matthew, when Jesus told His disciples –

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Make disciples, teach others – these certainly seem like things an influencer would do. But there’s more to this gig of influencing others. Here’s how Jesus described to His followers what He wanted them to be doing as they went about their daily lives –

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)

Salt and light – two very influential elements in our world. And Jesus tells me I am both of these! Salt was a preservative necessary before refrigeration and it is something which enhances the flavor of our food. Salt makes life better. Maybe that’s why saying about someone, “He/she is the salt of the earth” is a compliment meaning they are a kind, good, trustworthy person who is highly valued.

Likewise, light is essential for life. The sunlight causes all things to grow while warming the earth. It’s no coincidence that Jesus said of Himself –

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

You and I are invited to be influencers every day of our lives if we accept Jesus’s declaration over us that we indeed are “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” You and I don’t need a social media platform to be influencers for God’s kingdom, to be salt and light in an otherwise tasteless and dark world. The personal touch is needed to be a hand holder, a burden bearer, a helper, a healer, a candle lighter, a friend who “loveth at all times.”

The truth is – you and I are influencers, whether we realize it or not. We may not have signed up for it or sought the title of “influencer” but we do influence those around us, either positively or negatively. It is inevitable. We have an impact on those we interact with each day. That impact is called influence. I want to be an intentional influencer – an influencer with a positive purpose given to me by my Heavenly Father.

I have already received the assignment, as have you, dear readers, to be His salt and light in this world. We are the influencers chosen for this time in history, so let’s not “lose our saltiness” nor “hide our lights under a bowl.” Being this kind of an influencer would be an impossible challenge for me, if I were not myself wholly and solely influenced by the one and only Influencer that truly matters, my Heavenly Father, Creator of the Universe, Almighty God.

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.” (Daniel 2:20-22)

Now that’s influence! So’s this –

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21)

“The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; He puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him. . . . From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth – He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.” (Psalm 33:5-8 & 13-15)

That’s influence! The earth is full of God’s influence – His “unfailing love”, His righteousness and justice, His glory –

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 19:1-4)

That’s complete and total influence! That’s what the Creator of the universe has. God is the Influencer. There are other influences and influencers vying for my attention and my allegiance, but God is the One whose influence I trust and who I want to guide me. He alone has my best interests at heart. He said so –

” ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11)

If I am to be God’s influencer, I must be influenced by Him alone, my trusted Heavenly Father. To that end, these words are my daily prayer – that I will –

“Trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding; in all my ways I will acknowledge Him, and He will direct my paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

living life under the influence of the One and only Sovereign Influencer,

sincerely, Grace Day