One of my sons suggested my husband and I watch the Netflix feature about the Fyre Festival. Oh. My. Goodness.

The entire documentary was like watching a train wreck that you know is going to happen but you keep hoping it doesn’t. Sheesh. Anxiety started building up about four minutes in. I still am shaking my head thinking about it.

The Fyre Festival was touted as a celebrity-filled music festival set on a beautiful Bahamian island.   I’m not going to say any more about the movie and I’m not suggesting you watch it.  What I do want to talk about are the people in the movie who were labeled as the “influencers”.  People who, just because of their social or celebrity status, have the power to influence the masses.  Merely by posting on social media they can influence lives and finances. A beautiful model posted about the Fyre Festival and soon hundreds of people started to sign up - paying out huge dollar amounts to attend a unique music festival. That is influence, my friends. Attaching a celebrity’s face or name to an event has incredible influence on others to purchase, buy in, take part and the reverse can be true.

We may not be celebrities but we are influencers.
You are. I am.
Who are we influencing?
What are we influencing others to buy in to?

These are valid questions for all of us to ponder.

I want to influence others to live godly lives, full of mercy and grace, extending forgiveness and offering hope so they may know the joy I have in my heart - all because of Jesus.

May God help each of us influence others in the right direction for the right reasons.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Kathy Troyer
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