I get disappointed before when I once ventured into different social media platforms. There are many good influencers around but there are more bad influencers. I mean, when I saw those videos, I just remembered my students, as they could possibly watch all of those and what else the younger generations could absorb everything easily. In the same manner, realizations kicked in, like the inner voice inside me saying "You're disheartened yet you're just consuming also."
I felt so attacked because I didn't want to expose myself outside my comfort zone like publishing my posts to millions of people. I hate the spotlight and I am afraid of criticism but at the same time, I realized it was just the same- I'm a believer and a follower of Jesus behind the curtain and the crowds. The inner voice told me that perhaps I was just afraid to testify, I was just afraid to speak and to write for Jesus. And he reminded me of these verses:
Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp under a basket, but on a stand, and give light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10:32-33 So everyone who acknowledges me before men. I will also acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whosoever denies me before men, I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.
I think most of us young believers struggled also to share Christ, at times it's easier to be a Christian inside the church, with our fellow believers, and in our community but when we go outside, it's kinda hard to be doers of the Word and to stand our ground. There are many distractions around and we tend to justify our actions but God is God, He is loving and He is holy, thus He calls us to be set apart. I once heard this, "Some of us thought and believed that we grow up in church yet never grow in Christ, know the difference!" It hits me.
Who are we outside?
Who are we behind the flashes of the camera, behind our social media accounts?
Who are we, when no one is watching us?
It is shameful to mention what the disobedient do in secret. I won't forget this, the Lord sees everything inside.
So do you want to be an influencer?
I want my writings to transcend into spaces they needed the most. I pray that those write-ups would give encouragement to others that God is a great God and Jesus is the Lord. And Jesus is a great example of how should we lead others.
Jesus washes the disciples' feet
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13: 12-16
Jesus set an example to be a selfless servant. Jesus doesn't only preach but he acts upon his words. That's Jesus' way, it's hard right? The disciples have been arguing over who is greatest (Luke 22:24). Jesus' reply is to strip and wash their dusty feet. The Master willingly makes himself a slave as Matthew 20:26-28, "It shall not be so among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom of many."
Do you want to be great? Jesus' way is far different from the popular beliefs in this generation. Our generation today would tell us to own material possessions to be great, to have the perfect skin, body, and features, to have millions of followers, and to do what's pleasing to our own eyes, body, and mind. We're not being anchored anymore to God's Word- to the ultimate truth. No one is exempted from us, every one of us would be tempted if we won't guard ourselves and keep and obey His Word. In Psalm 119: 9, it is written "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word."
I hope and pray that we would speak Jesus in our lives and in this generation today. We would seek Him more, more than anything that the world can give. We would love to read His word because when you keep on reading the Bible you would fall deeply into the Great Author. You will know His ways, plans, and promises. We can testify that we're followers of Christ in our actions, words, and in our life. It's hard to pursue him but the helper always guides us. We will fail constantly on our own strength thus we need His grace to carry us through.
So you want to be an influencer? Look to Jesus.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5: 1-2
and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.
Ephesians 5: 10-14
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture to exhortation, to Teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on youself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 Timothy 4:12-16
