I’m new to the Gram.
Instagram, that is.
In an effort to develop in my career, I have gingerly climbed out of my safe little cave and crept into the daunting world called social media. So when my boss suggested Instagram, I was a bit reluctant.
Just when I became a pro at Facebook, I stared blankly at the circles on Instagram, trying to figure out what to tap. Fortunately, with some coaching from my millennial friends at work, I proudly put up my first post a few months ago.
Social media is now a way of life, and today, you would be hard pressed to find anyone who has not posted something somewhere at some point.
The top twenty social media influencers in my city are known primarily for fashion and beauty.
I get that- people are attracted to beautiful photos, so naturally those people gain followers easily. But, they also have the influence, which means whatever they suggest is likely to get a buyer to purchase what they recommend.
They have credibility.
Do you? Credibility…influence?
Alright, so maybe we don’t have 1.5K followers like they do, but DYK (Did You Know), you have it!
Remember when Jesus said we were salt, but if salt lost its saltiness, it was good for nothing? (Matthew 5:13 ESV)
Or when Jesus said we were light and if the light were under a basket, it would do no good? (Matthew 5:14-15 ESV)
That’s influence! Salt and light. They both serve a distinct purpose and without it, we would be famished and living in darkness.
But, wait a second.
There are actually people living like that…hungry and in the dark. They need you… at work, at home, in your newsfeed….
When you realize that YOU can be the life-giving salt or the light that brightens up their night, you are making an impact. You can be an influencer.
So, here’s your CTA (Call To Action):
-Avoid joining the bandwagon by putting up hurtful, negative comments on posts. You can always find silver lining to any situation- be the encouragement among the naysayers.
-Ask someone today, “How can I help you? or How can I pray for you?” and pray for them right away. Even unbelievers welcome prayer on their behalf. This can even be done as a private message on Instagram or Facebook.
-Unfollow people that may post toxic photos or blogs. Pray for them because they are likely hurting in some way.
-Your character shows up in your photos, so be careful in what you post. You may be able to delete it, but it may be too late if shared or copied.
You can be salt and light whether it’s a post, a pic, or a comment…online or in person. It’s your choice. #choosewisely
~Betsy
*Photo from unsplash.com by Maddie Bazzocco
