One of the latest social media trends is all about exposing and promoting, you guessed it, common propaganda that is circulated on Instagram and TikTok. The trend is provocative and catchy, and let’s face it, a bit cheesy. It’s also thought-provoking and truth-telling. Certainly, there are beliefs we are subtly and not-so-subtly sold in our culture as truth that range from the ridiculous to the soul-crushing and self-destructive. The question is not whether or not these false narratives exist, but whether or not we are blindly adopting them as reality.
Below is a piece of propaganda I once prescribed to that I’ve since parted ways with. It’s prominent in our culture today, and sadly, at times, also perpetuated in Christian subcultures. Maybe you will agree with me. Maybe you won’t, but I’m hoping it gets you reexamining the beliefs you hold and whether or not those reflect the teachings and ways of Jesus.
I’m Over Believing That Being Well-Known and Sought-After is Proof of God’s Blessing.
I’ve been in ministry for over twenty three years now, and I’ve seen a lot. Conversations in green rooms, demands from guest speakers, behind-the-scenes leadership transitions, church politics, dysfunctional staff team dynamics, moral failures, diva-behavior, manipulative tactics that are spiritualized. It’s a lot. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve witnessed far more exemplary and godly behavior in Christian communities and local churches than not! For every sad and disappointing story in ministry life, I have a hundred more accounts of God’s faithfulness and goodness being displayed through the actions of followers of Jesus who genuinely love God and love people.
I have learned though that big names don’t necessarily mean big blessings! Being well-known and sought-after is not an indicator of abiding with Jesus and producing the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Christian celebrities aren’t better Christians than the rest of us, and sometimes, their actions off the platform and away from social media reflect more of the culture of our day than the teachings of Jesus. I’m not claiming that if someone becomes well-known that means that they must be doing some shady behavior to achieve their notoriety. Some of our modern-day Christian heroes are truly living their lives humbly, sacrificially, and truthfully. It’s not my place or yours to try to figure out who are the “real-deals” and who are in it for personal gain.
It is, however, my responsibility to prayerfully examine my own heart and judge my actions. Do I envy their outward success? Do I believe that having more followers, growing ministries, larger platforms or more books sold will verify that I’ve made it? Is that what Jesus would say? Does that reflect the approach to calling that the apostles and early church leaders held?
What if instead of being enamored by or envying well-known Bible-teachers, church leaders, and ministry voices of the world, I was simply inspired by them to seek the Lord each and every day? To pick up my cross and follow Jesus daily? To worship Him and live contently in His love for me?
What if I listened to their sermons, yes, but I prayed even more? What if I read their books, yes, but it compelled me to read my Bible more consistently? What if I subscribed to their podcasts and signed up for their courses, yes, but what if I also sought godly wisdom from my local pastor or the elder in my church who has served faithfully her family and community for decades? What if I continued to learn from the well-known and sought after experts, yes, but what if I also chose to be more open, humble and accountable to my family, church community, and friends that see me day-in-and day-out and love me on my best and worst days?
I recently saw a post where a ministry voice was calling leaders to remember to point people to Jesus. That’s a good message, but the image on the post was that of the individual holding a mic in front of a large crowd. The words said one thing; the image said another. Now, I genuinely believe the heart of this post was to keep Jesus our main pursuit. But the execution was ironic, and perfectly embodied this problem we have with making celebrities out of our Christian leaders. They are flawed-people, just like the rest of us. We can honor them without making idols out of them.
The Lord doesn’t need more big names. He just needs people with a heart to make His Name known. And that’s a desire God is eager to bless… it just probably won’t look like a million followers, and tv and books deals. At the very least, let’s stop aspiring to that and pursue what is so much more wonderful— a life where we abide in Jesus.