On Influencers and Drafters
by Tamara Francis
Rembrandt, Van Rijn. “The Prodigal Son.” Hermitage Museum, Accessed 18 April 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Return_of_the_Prodigal_Son_%28Rembrandt%29
A couple of decades ago, I was biking with my friend Barbara in the foothills of East Mesa. We were headed up a slope about an eighth of a mile long. Before long, she was ahead of me, and I was falling behind. I yelled out that I was drafting off her, feeling very witty about my comment. To draft while biking, one must be right in the perfect physics pocket to be drawn in, much like a swirling vortex. I was not in that place.
Certain individuals can draw others to follow their lead. Therefore, one must inform oneself that many of these influencers receive compensation to express an interest or opinion about a product, a political platform, an unseen agenda, a social issue, or anything visible for others to see and read. With social media, anyone can say anything, and it may go viral, but influencers are paid to do what they do, and millions of viewers may be influenced by what is presented to them. On the other hand, there are times when only one person is influenced by another. Remember that we are on our own journey, but it is well with us when we can influence for good through our actions or choice of language.
Earlier this Spring, my eight-year-old granddaughter said what she wanted most for her birthday was to go hiking all by herself with her grandma. After an El Niño of so much rain, the desert was exploding with Mexican gold poppies and purple lupine, which presented themselves in a striking array. A snake slithered silently from one side of the path to the other, and we were the fortunate ones who witnessed its existence as we trekked to the Wind Caves in the Usery Pass Mountain area. Squirrels were looking for snacks that hikers accidentally dropped, and lizards were darting about. It took us an hour and 15 minutes to hike to our destination after stopping at each bend to touch every rock and savor our panorama, including the ever-present creosote bushes whose fragrant leaves smelled like fresh rain. It was delightful to watch Gwynie take everything in. On the way down, gravity was in our favor. The switchbacks wound back and forth, and we were getting closer to the end when Gwynie noticed she could take a shortcut and go straight down to get in front of me. I was already turning when I noticed she was suddenly in front of me. I took my eyes off the trail to see if she was safe. I miscalculated where I stepped, the loose gravel didn’t support my weight, and I slid into a tumble. The nicest hiker coming the other way mentioned that it was the most graceful fall she had ever seen, and I knew she was a kind soul. We all fall; every person falls. Where are all the influencers when we fall?
This experience reminds me of a personal moment while traveling in St. Petersburg, Russia. My husband, Bruce, and I were visiting the Hermitage Museum, and as I turned down a corridor, I found myself standing alone in front of the life-size painting by Rembrandt, the Prodigal Son. I was overcome with emotion. Rembrandt’s influence spoke to my soul. At that moment I felt the language of an influencer who portrayed the love of a father for his son. I was touched to the core and found myself drafting off of this 17th-century artist who shared with me a special witness that I have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who helps me when I fall. I felt as if I was in the painting, and the Savior’s hands were upon me, and He was blessing me. I felt such hope, and I felt such gratitude.
There are so many things in this world that do not matter. Something that really does matter to me is knowing I have a Savior. Jesus Christ is God’s only Begotten Son. He is the Redeemer of the World. He came into our world to heal and help us as we draft off of Him. His grace heals us as we fall. He saves us.
Have you noticed that some influencers lift you, or are you drawn to someone and need to draft off their goodness? I have found that there are times when I am an influence, and there are times when I draft. I hope little Gwynie feels my influence and love of the Savior and will draft off of Him. On influencers and drafters, may we seek those who point us to the one who helps us gracefully fall and those whose influence pulls us into the right place, that pocket of healing only the Savior can provide.
Rembrandt, Van Rijn. “The Prodigal Son.” Hermitage Museum, Accessed 18 April 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Return_of_the_Prodigal_Son_%28Rembrandt%29