A Prayer to Stay Rooted in Christ in an Age of Faith Influencers - Your Daily Prayer - May 4

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A Prayer to Stay Rooted in Christ in an Age of Faith Influencers
By Sophia Bricker

Bible Reading:
“For when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:4-11, NIV). 

Listen or Read Below:

I have often found that seeds are easier to grow in gardens than transplanted flowers. One would think that the already growing plant would be simpler to add––dig a hole and pop the flower into the desired spot. Yet when I planted a tray of marigolds, the small flowers quickly began to struggle. The changes in soil, sun, and surrounding plants were too overwhelming for the young flowers. Eventually, the leaves withered along with the petals. 

How much different when I sowed seeds! Though preparing the soil bed required more work and planting the seeds took extra time, the result was worth the effort. Not only did the flowers grow and survive, but they thrived. Large, colorful blooms. Greater height. Fuller leaf growth made the patch of garden resemble a meadow. Of course, there is a time to use transplanted flowers, and they can do well in the right circumstances, but some plants do poorly when transplanted. Just because a route is easier does not always mean it is best. 

The same is true in our spiritual lives. We can easily assume that the best way to grow spiritually is through a premade, transplanted faith––one that is imported from the life of someone we admire. We draw on their experiences, practices, and insights rather than prioritizing personal time with the Lord. In Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth, he noted that many of the believers had formed separate sects based on who they wanted to follow, whether Paul, Cephas (Peter), or Apollos (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4). Christians today can do the same, aligning themselves with a particular teacher, pastor, author, or social media influencer.   

Yet, Paul warned them, and us, of placing too much emphasis on human workers. Paul, Apollos, and Cephas had merely been faithful in the task God had given them in spreading the gospel and discipling believers. The Lord was the One who was ultimately responsible for any growth. And none of the workers could replace the most important part: the foundation of faith, Jesus’ death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 3:11). 

We may admire certain teachers and influencers online and even find many of their insights and suggested practices helpful. However, if we rely only on the second-hand nourishment of the faith of others, then our growth will look more like withered marigolds than healthy blooms. We need a deep rootedness in Christ to properly grow. For it is He who died to give us life, and it is only in Him that we can truly boast (1 Corinthians 1:28-31). Nothing can replace a strong, personal relationship with Him. 

Let’s Pray:

Lord, You know how much the Corinthian church struggled with issues of the flesh, including the temptation to form groups around favorite teachers and workers. Today, many of us do the same. We spend more time listening to what a popular influencer has to say about an issue than communing with You personally. The result is that our faith begins to look stunted.

As helpful as many teachers and pastors are, their words and lives are not what bring growth. Only You are the One who deserves the glory for the growth in our lives. And only You are the One who should be praised for the salvation You died to give us. When we are tempted to become entangled in Christian celebrity cults, may You direct our focus back to You. Remind us again that You are the reason we are saved. Only in You will we boast.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Shutter2U

Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotionals, and stories. She completed a BA and MA in Christian ministry which included extensive study of the Bible and theology, as well as an MFA in creative writing. You can read her thoughts about literature and faith at The Cross, a Pen, and a Page Substack, or visit the discipleship-based site  Cultivate, where she writes with her sister.

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