True to the Mission

 

Some of my favorite influencers are food bloggers.  I love to explore new and very diverse ways of preparing food. I find Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines to be the most tasty.  I have learned so much from my Middle Eastern food bloggers; they have become my primary source of inspiration.  

One Middle Eastern influencer, in particular, has been a long-time favorite of mine.  I’ve gained so much inspiration from her recipes. Recently, though, I noticed that she started sharing content unrelated to food, mainly her views on the conflict in the Middle East.  While I completely sympathized with the suffering and was heartbroken to see the gruesome images, occasionally, her content became very hateful towards the opposing side.

I tried my best to scroll past the hateful content, continuously returning to her page for recipe inspiration. But I hate to admit, the more I visited her page, the more I encountered her views on the conflict. Ultimately, I decided to unfollow her. 

While I understand that everyone is entitled to their own opinions and can’t claim that her views are entirely wrong, I question whether her cooking blog was the appropriate platform to express such discontent and hatred. Her page Bio says she promises to deliver tasteful and authentic Middle Eastern recipes to her followers. Has she strayed from her original mission? It seems clear that she is no longer adhering to the purpose of her page. 

It’s unfortunate, but a similar pattern can be observed within the body of believers. God has appointed many of us to some level of influence, some more than others. He has also given us a mission: to preach the good news of the Gospel. Staying focused on this mission is so important. We are entitled to our views and judgments, which can be valid and well-supported, but we should avoid publicly displaying them on pulpits and platforms appointed to spread the good news of God’s Kingdom. 

Jesus, the most influential person in history, represents an ideal we can learn from.

In Luke chapter 12, we find a scenario where "the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together" to hear Jesus speak. (vs.1) 

 

During this time… “someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” (vs.13)

 

Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or arbiter between you?” (vs.14)

 

An arbiter is a person legally appointed to make judgments and resolve disputes. Jesus emphasizes that, despite having a large following, he was not appointed to take sides, settle disagreements, or make judgments. His focus remained on his mission and God-given assignment to preach the Gospel message.

Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?  It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.  (Matt. 24:45-46)