Have you ever thought of yourself as an influencer?

The dictionary defines an influencer as “a person who can influence potential buyers of a product or service by promoting or recommending the items on social media.”

A quick google search says, “Influencers have specialized knowledge, authority, or insight into a specific subject. Their pre-existing presence in a niche makes them a useful launching pad for brands searching for credibility.”

• #1: Micro-influencers. The number of followers: 5,000 — 100,000. …
• #2: Mid-tier influencers. The number of followers: 100,000 — 500,000. …
• #3: Macro-influencers. The number of followers: 500,000 — 1M. …
• #4: Mega-influencers. Number of followers: 1M+

A few months ago, Amazon invited me to open my own storefront and become an “Amazon Influencer” even though, according to google, I’m at the low end of the first category.

Honestly, I’ve never considered myself an influencer or thought about the word. But now I find myself reflecting on its meaning.

I’ve been writing about my Christian faith on my website since 2014. It dawned on me that I’ve been an influencer this whole time—influencing others toward the Lord. It brings me great joy to fulfill my purpose on earth by sharing the hope I’ve found in having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. While I’m having so much fun sharing my favorite Amazon finds, my number one purpose for writing remains the same: to be an influencer for Christ.

While there are many questionable influences on social media, there are also good ones. Yes, you will always find people showing their best life, but you will also find people sharing their hardest life, honest strugglers who truly want to offer hope to the hurting on the other side of the screen.

Social media provides an excellent avenue for us to “go into all the world” to preach the gospel of Christ. 

While examining the meaning of the word in spiritual terms, we can ask ourselves how we are influencing others in our life. What are we influencing others towards? Do we love others well? Do our lives reflect the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by the fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control)? 

Wherever you go, whether at home, work, or sharing on the internet, you have the blessing of influencing others to know Jesus by reflecting his image through the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of you. 

When Jesus appeared to the disciples after his death and resurrection, he commissioned them to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. 

“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).

Here are five reasons why you can consider yourself an influencer for Jesus.

You have the light of the world living inside of you (the Holy Spirit). Jesus tells us to be the world’s light and the earth’s salt. When our lives reflect the hope and love of Christ, we are shining God’s light in the darkness, leading others toward hope and purposeful living.

You have the ability to influence others to live a life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control by walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

You have God’s living and active Word to guide you into all truth (Hebrews 4:12).

You have full access to God through prayer, “For through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18). “In whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him” (Ephesians 3:12). “Therefore, brethren, since we have the confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19).

Jesus commissioned you to go into all the world (Matthew 28:19-20).

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God (John 3:19-21).

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

You are the light of the world. A town built 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 others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16).

After lighting a lamp, no one puts it in a cellar or under a basket but on a stand so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. 

Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light (Luke 11:33-36). 

On a personal note…

For many years I’ve been praying for God to make a way for me to pay for the cost of writing. This includes my yearly website bill, monthly payments to Mailchimp (my email list), Canva (making graphics), writing groups, conferences, and hiring editors. 

God answered my prayers in a way I never expected. 

I love writing thoughtful and honest book reviews. I didn’t know my reviews were getting “helpful” votes until Amazon contacted me to write product reviews. I was floored. I never expected God to answer my prayers in such an amazing way. 

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20 NIV). 

Amazon is my go-to shopping place, as it is for many. Sometimes it’s difficult to sort through all of the product choices, so I always read reviews. I’m excited to be able to add product reviews to my writing niche. I add new items to my Storefront weekly and only recommend those I have tried and loved! I would love for you to follow my store by pressing the image below.

I am an Amazon Influencer and post daily product video reviews on my storefront. Check out my storefront and get daily updates on the latest Amazon finds! Subscribe to my YouTube channel ValPalreviews here!

As I think about this new dimension to my writing, I plan on guarding my heart so that my number one mission remains the same. 

In my first blog post, I share my mission statement and reason for writing. 

I hope to be able to earn commissions so that one day I can fulfill my long-awaited God dream to self-publish a book. So basically, I hope being an Amazon Influencer will further my number one desire to influence others toward a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through writing on my blog and, hopefully, a book one day.

God gives us the blessing of enjoying some material things on earth. But these things are temporary. When we die, we take nothing with us! There’s nothing wrong with decorating and having nice things as long as they don’t take the place of God. Our greatest joy comes from learning to make our hearts at home in Jesus Christ. When we make our hearts home with the Lord, we will be fulfilled, and material things will take their proper place in our hearts and minds.

Then he told them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15).

Why Blogging is a Great Ministry

My Boat is in the Water

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20 NIV). 

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Think about how you influence others. Is there anything you want to change in your life to influence others toward the Lord? It could be behaviors you want to stop so the fruits of the spirit shine in your life. It could be gifts God has given you, and He’s prompting your heart to use them for His glory. Pray and ask the Lord to direct your path as you listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit guiding your steps. I would love to know how God is working in your life, so please feel free to share in the comment section.