How To Be An Influencer

In the last few months, in social media circles, I've been hearing the term influencer.   These are typically women who have established a large following on their blog or on Instagram, in the categories of fashion, beauty, lifestyle, home decor, clean eating and even positivity.

When Googling the term influencer, I came across the following definition:

"A Social Media Influencer is a user on social media who has established credibility in a specific industry. A social media influencer has access to a large audience and can persuade others by virtue of their authenticity and reach."  

As Children of God, we are called to be Influencers for Christ.

Prior to becoming a Christian, the Lord placed me in a neighborhood where I was surrounded by Christians.  One of those neighbors, Paula, became a very close friend.  On Sunday's, Paula, her husband and little girl would go to church.  She always had wonderful things to say about the community at her church and would host Bible studies in her home.  I was still on the "outside looking in", but there was something about Paula's example that awoke something inside of me.  Paula invited me to attend Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) with her and her daughter.   Those of you who don't know.  Mothers of Preschoolers is a Christian organization which ministers to young moms, believers or non-believers, by having a place to gather, have fellowship together, do a craft and hear a devotional.  The first time I attended a MOPS meeting I was nervous because I am shy by nature.  The women met in the lounge area of an old presbyterian church.  There were about 10 to 15 women.  This particular group held more of a Bible study and would pray out loud afterwards.  The out loud part intimidated me.   I grew up Catholic and in my experience, I had not been exposed to praying out loud.  But even though I was intimidated, there was something drawing me to experience what these women were experiencing...

The more time I spent with Paula and with the MOPs group, the more I wanted to be like these women.  They were gently and humbly influencing me just by allowing the light of Christ to shine through their words and actions.

As a result, I went back to church.  It had been almost 10 years since I had darkened the doors of a church...  You can read more about my testimony here.

As Influencers for Christ, our daily walk establishes our credibility.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Philippians 1:27

If we conduct ourselves in a manner that is worldly, we won't be influencing others to walk with Christ, but to walk as the world does.  As Christians, we are being watched very closely.   Some non-believers can be very quick to point out the failings of Christians OR to think to themselves, well if Karen does this (worldly thing) and she's a Christian, it must be okay for me to do it.  We DON'T want to be Influencers for darkness, but for Light.

Influencers for Christ don't need a large following on their blog to have a large audience.   Think about the Apostle Paul's influence when he was in prison!

Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. read more.  Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.

Philippians 1:12-26

God's ways are not our ways.  We might not know until Heaven how much our Christian influence on even just one person extended out to others.  I think about the Faberge Organics Shampoo commercial from back in the 80s where the woman says, "I thought the shampoo was so good, I told two friends about it and then they told two friends and so on and so on..."  And we know that Christ Jesus is the ultimate Goodness!  So go tell two friends!  ;-)

Influencers for Christ who have been called to blog do have access to a far reach with readers from around the world! When I first started blogging, in my wildest dreams did I even think someone across the country would be reading my blog let alone China or Russia, but they have!

As Christian bloggers, we have a huge responsibility to share the Truth rightly and accurately, especially when we consider how far our reach can be.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, 

a worker who does not need to be ashamed

 and who correctly handles the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

Finally, the best way to be an Influencer for Christ, is to be authentic.  Don't hide your flaws. Don't hide your worries, fears and anxieties.  Even share your struggles with sin.

My biggest struggle in life is dealing with anxiety.  As you read earlier in the link to my testimony, the Lord used my anxiety to draw me to Himself.   Since becoming a Believer, the Lord has used my struggle with anxiety to minister to other Believers who suffer in the same way, but He has also given me opportunity to share about the God of all Comfort to those who do not know Christ and live with anxiety.

It is through our authenticity that we show Christ's redemptive power, whether in areas of our lives that we share which He has redeemed already or areas that we are struggling with now in which we can still proclaim the Lord's patience and forgiveness.

In God's economy whether we have influenced one person for Christ or many, He brings the yield.   It is up to us to faithfully sow the seeds and walk in Grace so that the light of Christ influences all those we come in contact with.

May we all be Influencers for Christ bringing Glory to His Great Name.


You might find me on these link-ups:
Grace & Truth Link-up, Woman to Woman Ministries, Inspire Me Monday, A Wise Women Builds Her Home, Spiritual Sundays, Soul Survival,  Good Morning Mondays, Tell His Story, Faith & Fellowship Blog Hop,   Tuesday Talk,    Faith 'N Friends,  Sitting Among Friends   House to Home  ,Wonderful Wednesday , Literacy Musings Mondays,Imparting Grace, Dance with Jesus,  Booknificent Thursdays ,  Fresh Market Friday Moments of Hope Wonderful Wednesdays , Tea & Word Tuesday Heart Encouragement Thursday Hearts for Home Messy Marriage Link-up Friday at the Fire Station Link-up Tune In Thursday Faith on Fire Link-up, Sunday Scripture Blessings Link-up, Sunday Thoughts, Writer Wednesday, Faith Filled Friday God Sized Dreams Link-Up Sitting Among Friends Be Thee Inspired Graceful Tuesday Link-up Aprons & Pearls Link-up Trekkingthru Link-up Coffee for the Heart Link-up Encouraging Word Wednesday  Grace Moments Link-up  Encouraging Hearts and Home Worth Beyond Rubies Seeking Sabbath Scripture and a Snapshot