GOD’S ORIGINAL INTENT – CREATED TO INFLUENCE
Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. …”
Genesis 1:28a (NLT)
Ask a group of young people today what they want to be when they grow up, and you may hear an answer that would have sounded strange just a generation ago: YouTube influencer. Recent surveys report that more than half of Gen Z dreams of building a platform, gaining followers and shaping opinions online. In a world driven by likes, views and subscribers, influence feels like the ultimate goal.
But the call and desire to influence didn’t start with social media. It began in Genesis.
Genesis 1:28 is often called the cultural mandate. God did not put us here on earth just to have fun and then go to heaven. When He told Adam and Eve to fill the earth and govern it, He was inviting them to reflect His character in the world He had made. They were to cultivate, create, lead and care for creation in ways that displayed God’s wisdom and goodness. In other words, they were created to be influencers long before platforms, algorithms or screens.
That calling didn’t disappear when sin entered the world, though it was deeply distorted. Human culture, our work, families, art, technology and communities, became broken and bent away from God’s original design. Yet God never abandoned His intention to work through His people. He continues to place us in specific neighborhoods, workplaces, schools and relationships so His light can be seen there.
Jesus prayed that His followers would not be taken out of the world, even though they don’t belong to it (John 17:14-16). He described us as salt and light; ordinary, everyday things that quietly but powerfully shape their surroundings. Salt doesn’t draw attention to itself, but it preserves and brings out flavor. Light doesn’t argue with darkness; it simply shines.
Most of us won’t have thousands of followers or viral videos. But every Christ follower has a sphere of influence. God uses faithfulness in unseen places just as much as public platforms. Whether you’re raising children, running a business, caring for patients, creating art, or serving quietly behind the scenes, your life can point others to Christ.
You were created to reflect God’s glory right where you are, not to chase attention, but to steward influence with humility and love.
APPLICATION: Ask God to help you see where He has placed you to influence others for His glory today.
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for calling me to reflect You in this world. Help me live with faithfulness, humility and love, and use my life to point others to You. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?