Photo by Emily Morter on Unsplash 

For quite some time now, I’ve been trying to figure out an accurate definition for the term “influencer”.  It seems to be a label thrown around quite readily these days, and as far as I can determine, it has a broad application. Not that long ago influencers were merely well-known people who endorsed products–one of several propaganda strategies to stimulate purchases in markets. That application is still true, though nowadays the “market” has been redefined and extends to ideas and ideological persuasions.

(Photo by JMEnternational/JMEnternational for BRIT Awards/Getty Images)

At this writing (July 2021), the Biden Administration is utilizing the strategy of mobilizing influencers to encourage the resistant to be vaccinated. After all, if Olivia Rodrigo has been vaccinated, so should be the rest of us. I don’t even know who Olivia Rodrigo is, but she is obviously a very important influencer to be called upon for such a task. On the flipside, Biden is also encouraging Facebook to silence others who seek to influence folks NOT to get the vaccine.  (NOTE: This blog is not about censorship, nor about vaccinations. Rest assured, I have been vaccinated).

The effort to elevate influencers in so many arenas likely surfaced from our growing reliance on social media avenues to stay informed. Like the popular clique in high school, everyone yearns to be associated with someone deemed important, so we listen to their message. How can we not be influenced by what we read or watch?

We follow our favorites through their books, videos, and various media outlets.  Sometimes we even briefly check out those we refuse to let influence us just for the sake of allowing ourselves to be angered by their message. It’s invigorating to get our blood pressure rising when we hear messages we deem to be idiotic. There’s a level of satisfaction when we get to roll our eyes at those we disagree with, wondering why anyone else would be influenced by them.

There’s no doubt about it, the enormous about of information in the market of ideas can be easily accessed, but also overwhelming.

Perhaps a better focus for my inquiry might be why there is a need to market ideas and ideologies in the first place? Since the definition of truth seems to have morphed to whatever is “relative” to the interpretation of the individual, is it any wonder why some don’t know what to believe and who to trust?

Enter the “influencer”. The opportunities to persuade the vulnerable grow exponentially in current societal dynamics, and when more devious manners of propaganda are welcomed by the vulnerable, there is a danger we must be wary of. A scary but important exercise is to read through quotations of Adolph Hitler. We shudder at the atrocities he was able to carry out using avenues of propaganda.  “What good fortune for those in power that people do not think.” (Adolf Hitler).

We must be wise about who we allow to sway our thinking. It becomes critical for us to hold fast to our beliefs about issues of the day. Those who think it is best to just let all ideologies exist in some type of watered-down ambiguity are prey to the most diligent influencers, whatever their motive.

Or… we can choose to ground ourselves in faith so that we are not influenced by the latest and greatest, cancel culture type tactic. I contend that the clarity we seek will never come from popular influencers, even the ones we believe can be trusted. No, not even those grounded in science, facts and data (which can be manipulated to champion a cause). The hope we yearn for cannot be found on social media (not even in my own heartfelt blogs).  Rather, the anchor that keeps us grounded and steers us toward what’s right and good is God’s faithfulness and righteousness.  Regardless of the politics and popular ideologies of the day.  Regardless of the podcasts and YouTube channels seeking to sway your thinking, God’s promises and truths are unwavering. He is continually with us, like a shepherd watching after His flock.  And that good shepherd keeps watch against any evil that might harm—or influence—the sheep.

God promises us that He hears every cry of distress (Psalms 106:44) and that He will accomplish what concerns us (Psalms 38:18). Accomplish connotates a concern, a fulfillment, a finishing, a taking care of. I am not sure there is any other influencer around who is all powerful, all knowing and all good! In his final teaching on earth, Jesus warned his disciples that in the world there would be trials and tribulation, but if they abide  in Him (abide =cherish, seek, hold fast to), they would be always able to have peace in the midst of anything the world throws at them (Gospel of John, Chapters 14-17).

I don’t think Jesus would’ve liked being referred to as an influencer, but in our efforts to remain informed and to trust the source of information, Jesus really can’t be beat.  The good and perfect Influencer for all who seek truth provides that unwavering anchor we are desperate for.

I realize there is a bit of irony in the writing of this blog because I am trying to influence you to believe in the goodness of Christ.  But if you haven’t latched on to any of the latest and greatest influencers of the day, I invite you to check out Jesus. After all, He’s been around the longest of them all.  ?  (“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not extinguish it.”  — John 1:1-5

{In Christ) , “Lovingkindness and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” – Psalm 85:10