Why We Don’t Need More Followers

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I never had a follower until I had a blog.

And when I got a blog, suddenly I wanted followers.

In the beginning, it was unhealthy for me–this craving and insatiable desire to be followed.

I was sucked into the vortex of growing something bigger and better, something about and for me.

It took me a couple hundred blog posts to realize that in order to have followers, I needed to be a leader or at least lead well. You know, as in follow-the-leader.

But it took an altar and sacrifice for me to understand that I don’t need followers at all.

I need to focus my attention on following Him. And in doing that, He makes me a leader.

Jesus isn’t desperate for more followers.

He is desperate to make the dead alive.

He didn’t try to boost His numbers or grow His crowd. There aren’t numerical records boasting of his success. He was desperate all right, but just for what mattered.

I want to be like Him: Free of the burden to be somebody, void of the desire to make my name known; Empty of the drive to have more and more fans following me.

We don’t need more followers (or friends or fame), we need more of Him.

———————————

It’s so easy to get caught up in rat race of making ourselves known…being the best!  Do you sometimes struggle with this pull online or in your real life?

by Kristen Welch, We are THAT family

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Kristen Welch
About the Author

Kristen writes at her parenting blog, We Are THAT Family and is author of Rhinestone Jesus: Saying Yes to God When Safe Sparkly Faith is No Longer Enough and founder of The Mercy House. Follow Kristen on twitter as @WeareTHATfamily.

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Comments

  1. This is where it’s at, sister! Yes, I’ve been on this journey for awhile now and I’m so glad you posted a/b it! The more Jesus preached, the LESS that followed Him. And did He ever promote Himself for the sake of gaining more followers? Nope. Huge AMEN.

  2. This is so true. We have to live our lives faithfully and with warm hearts before Jesus. Whatever happens happens… Makes me want to stop checking my blog statistics. Maybe I will.

  3. I love this! It gave me the right amount of encouragement to continue writing even though I don’t have followers. I’ve been torn between writing a journal and writing a blog–I feel like I have a voice–but who wants to listen to me? Thank you for reminding me who I am accountable and why!

  5. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) Thank you for this very honest blog. It’s not about who is following me, but Who I’m following!

  6. YES! Thank you so much for this! I just had disappointing news 2 days in a row concerning publications, but this puts it all in perspective. Thanks for the reminder 🙂

  7. I am frequently reminded of a quote from Relevant 10 by Courtney (Women Living Well) “Seek good things for yourself, seek them not.” I know it is Scripture, just not sure where it is found.

    The Lord speaks this to me on a daily basis – to wait on Him, to not try to make things happen, and let Him bring me the good things He has prepared for me, and only me.

  8. I don’t have the follower button on my blog. But that doesn’t mean I’ve never gotten psyched to see comments on my posts.
    I haven’t really thought about people WANTING to follow me. I’ve simply blogged what’s going on in my heart and home.
    Maybe that’s the Holy Spirit protecting me from getting sucked into the ME ME ME vortex!
    Nice post!
    FOLLOW HIM!!

  10. This really used to bother me. Why am I writing if no one is reading? I want to be effective and teach about Jesus, but then it dawned on me I’m really not writing for anyone but Jesus. And most of what He is telling me to write is for my development anyway. So now its great to see a comment, but I don’t stress out about it any longer. I also stopped tweeting so much. It became such a *big* thing that it was taking up too much of my time. I still wonder where all these people come from that are “following” me.
    Great post. Thanks for the reminder 🙂

  11. Your observation is right on, especially the part about how difficult it is for us to keep the focus on Christ and not ourselves. If we got rid of all the me-centered blogs, there’d probably be few blogs left. Sin is crouching at the door; we must submit ourselves to His Lordship, leaning on Him to lift us up. Thanks for an excellent post.

  12. I shut down a blog I spent 4 years building because I needed to put my need for followers on the alter. Thanks for this. It really is important for people to hear.

  13. Wow, that was short, sweet, and to the point… and definitely what I was needing to read. It IS easy to get sucked into the drive to have followers and fans, but, really, it DOES a world of good to sit back and relax and…refocus. Priorities get mixed up easily (for me), so to often realize that I have to get off of this high-speed train going to nowhere, and start walking beside Jesus down the dusty road once more… it’s humbling, but very much needed.

    Thanks for this post!

  14. Loved reading this reminder, Kristen! I think our social networking abilities have only increased the potential craving to be known, just like living in a culture of wealth increases our potential craving for materialism. And when our focus is on the result (more followers, more traffic, etc.) instead of the process (becoming like Jesus, loving well, learning how to lead in humility, etc), then I wonder how very-much we miss in terms of our own character and our knowing Jesus better.

    Pride is just always waiting to suck us in, isn’t it? Thanks for the reminder to live for an Audience of One.

    Great post, Kristen!

  15. Thanks for being real and honest. I am still new at this blog thing (about 4 months) and yes for me it has been hard to keep that balance of wanting to see the numbers climb and what can I do to get the numbers to climb.

    Great advice to just follow HIM. He will order and arrange things. I am responsible for doing what I feel He is directing me to do and I have to trust that He will take care of the rest including the readers that He knows the writings are intended for. For me, it is hard to take my hands off of it but the blog is HIS — not mine.

    Again, thanks for sharing.

  16. So easy to fall into that trap! Now I just write for Jesus, the words God lays on my heart, allowing Him to use them if, when, however He chooses. Interesting how much freedom there is in simply writing for God and releasing the outcome to Him. I still feel the pull to check, measure, quantify, but when I do, I hear the Spirit quietly speaking to my heart reminding me that the words are a gift, a beautiful gift to be used for God’s plans and purposes, not mine. I’m just a vessel. To Him be the glory!

  19. When I started blogging, my goal was to share my faith stories with friends in other cities. Every place I have worked, I shared God’s messages in the form of stories over coffee before we began our work day. It became such an ingrained habit, my friends wanted me to continue in a way I could reach them all. A blog was the perfect solution. While I don’t have many readers or followers in any of the social media, I know I am reaching the ones God has selected. Even if that ended up being only one person, I would continue. And you know, the funny thing is, while I am sharing with others, I reaffirm my own faith, and my stories encourage me as well. Great post, and good point to remember.

  21. Exactly! And our words are empty and meanginless when we are only writing to boost ourselves. When we are seeking Him, His words overflow in us and we don’t have to work at all for it! Great reminder!

  22. Thank you for your words! I started a blog recently and have been looking at my numbers, hoping to see them climb each day. But more than anything my blog has been bringing my closer to His word and working through my motherhood struggles with Him. It has been a bonus blessing when friends and strangers let me know that my words are blessing them as well. Your final sentence is exactly what I needed to read this morning.

  23. Thanks for putting on the table what most of us bloggers wrestle with at some point. When it becomes more and more about the stats and the comments and the followers, we know we’re in trouble and need a bit of re-callibration!

    I finally got to the point where I had to pray, “Please let just one person be blessed today, Lord.” It was a terrific release for me … and then I began finding out that people were being impacted by my writing … and it really was ok if I didn’t get a comment or a follower out of it!

  25. i believe ann voskamp once said that jesus only had 12 followers….when i get caught up in numbers, i remind myself OUT LOUD why i blog: to bring god glory – for that is why we live and breathe and have our being.

  26. Yes Kristen. I have struggled with this too, and I want to want to make it all about Him. Thank you for saying it so well.

  27. Wow…I’ve also learned that when you are given messages to LISTEN! After being on vacation for over 2 weeks and discussing my blog and the need or want of subscribers/followers with my DH, I had already made the decision to cancel my paid-for subsciption services, 1.) because I don’t feel like it has helped me and 2.) because it’s more of a mass marketing service to SELL stuff and that was never my intention. THEN I open up my email today and read this lovely post from Brian: http://tv.aphilosophersnotes.com/355/dont-take-it-personally AND then I read your post Kristen and just told my DH that “when God gives you messages…LISTEN”. I’m dropping my services today! Thanks for delivering your message today. Fondly, Roberta

  28. That is so true. I thought that was a clever entry.
    When the Lord wanted us to follow Him it was so he could give the follower
    something. As believers in ministry we have to make sure the information we are giving has some earthly good.

  29. Great stuff! Going to post the link for this on my blog! We all need to read this and be reminded! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!! 🙂

  30. Great post! I recently came to this revelation. I realized I had followers and was following folks that were just numbers. I deleted a lot of twitter followers that weren’t really on a common ground with me. They in turn deleted me, leaving room for each of us to find and connect with Him more. As you say! Thank you for putting this in such an appropriate and understandable way

  31. Like water for my soul! I want to blog with excellence and purpose. Yet I want to write truth to encourage whether it’s for one person or one hundred. In today’s driven online community that focus and humility is hard to maintain. Thank you.

  32. Like water for my soul! I want to blog with excellence and purpose. Yet I want to write truth to encourage whether it’s for one person or one hundred. In today’s driven online community that focus and humility is hard to maintain. Thank you.
    Oops I forgot to sign in.

  33. yikes. this was for me today.

    “I want to be like Him: Free of the burden to be somebody, void of the desire to make my name known; Empty of the drive to have more and more fans following me.”

    yes, please!

  35. Oh my, I really needed this confirmation today. The Lord called me to begin a blog 2 years ago and when I started I struggled with the same issues. For nearly a year I have heard Him say…..”are you listening to My heart? ” Write about what you hear!!!
    Thank you so much for writing this!!! I DON”T need followers! I am to follow God’s heart..to do that I must spend time in His presence…time in His Word…and write.
    Hugs!

  37. Yes, I struggle with this! Just recently I started thinking of this as my ministry – my writing ministry – and have become more intentional and diligent with my writing. But I’ve also been struggling with keeping the focus on the ministry and not on me, my numbers, my accolades, my credit.

    Thank you so much for your words of wisdom to remind me to keep my focus on Him!!

  41. I have to admit that I had a hard time reading this because it’s true and because I needed to hear it. It is so easy to get wrapped up in myself through my blog…because I blog about my life, and it can be very discouraging to go days (even weeks) without those numbers and comments.

    May my words bring Him glory. And may I forget about those other things that stand in the way of that glory.

    Thanks so much for this.

  42. i’m so with you, sister! i actually get a little nervous if my numbers go up simply because i want to make sure i don’t lose the relationship of my blog. i feel like i am letting people into my home so i want to make sure i know them, too, as best i can. but i love the way you said this. that we need to just keep following Him and He’ll make us leaders. perfect.

  43. Aaaah, needed to hear this today. So easy to get caught up in popularity and being liked and wanting to fit in. And that’s not what matters at all. Well said.

  45. Yes. Yes I do struggle with this at times. Which is one reason why I am taking a blog sabbatical. God has great things in store for this time and I look forward to it! 🙂

  46. Wow, your post took a huge chunk of courage to write, thank you. You just gave out a “motive check” for blogging or for anything we do in His name. As a foreign missionary we write updates on what God is doing where we minister and about the people we minister to. People read our updates mainly wanting to know how many got saved for they have invested time in prayer and financially, they are part of our team reaching the lost in Papua New Guinea. Occasionally through the years I have written a couple articles for Christian women magazines, God gently pushing me. I remember an article sitting in my draft box for over a year…waiting for a touch of courage to send it.
    Blogging is so different, a way to express what God was teaching me, more personal. If you got on my blog you would see huge gaps between post…God has to really push me into posting. I use it as a tool when woman would ask me questions about living over seas and how I handle it. Very few followers and they usually don’t post their comment on my blog. But I do get emails at times when someone checks it out thanking me for the encouragement. I fb to follow people I personally know, love seeing pictures of their children who we ministered to years ago. Love it when they respond with a thank you for your influence in my life….is that pride….I certainly could let it go there. My motive for writing on anything is fueled by the gift of exhortation, God chosen. So I love anything that makes me check my motive. (like your post)
    Next came (in)courage, wonderful place to find refreshment for my soul and insight. Also a place to give out encouragement. At first I would go back and see what kind of response I got for I realized I was in the company of some very gifted women, I could learn some skill on how to write from the post and the responses, like what a weak verb is. Kind of fun to see if anyone read what I wrote..and just recently I started to twitter…scary.
    I came very close to never posting on (in)courage….I say again, you women are so gifted and I know my limitation in writing. So I do love it when you respond. But IF GOD should shut fb, blogspot, (in) courage, twitter and countless others door I would survive because life is in none of these, life is in Christ. Everything we do for Christ carries a struggle…and the root is always (i) the middle letter in pride. That is why he gave us I John 1:9 so please don’t stop posting insight such as I am responding to now. This post used very good verbs that will produce heart searching.

  47. Oh, Amen and Amen, sister! This is convicting and freeing in the same breath!

    Rich blessings as you remember this truth and live it, Kristen!

  48. I don’t like to admit imperfection but I feel I am among others who understand. Yes I do struggle with this at times but you have put things in perspective. I have no doubt this was written under the control of the Spirit. Thanks

  51. This is 100 percent a must read for bloggers…and OK, for everyone. I hate the fact I have been swept up in the social networking sites and blogosphere so much so that I have to question why I now write…and go back to the reason I began. Not for followers, but to express myself.

  53. I fell into that trap. This is one of the reasons I deleted my FB account. I had a page for my blog with 400+ followers and it stroked my ego too much! Great post.

  54. Amen to this Kristen.

    I have no comments allowed on one of my blogs. I tried watching the hits; checking my subscriptions and it became a habit. I broke it this week.

    I don’t need to know that – I need to know that I will write for Him and that’s it. If I only have one follower – it will be God and that is enough.

    Blessings for a great post,
    Jan

  55. I have hated that whole feeling of competition and worrying about fans and followers. There is nothing good about it that I can find. I just read an article reminding me that God uses the mustard seeds of this life to accomplish His purposes and that has helped tremendously! Thank you for confirming those great words and reminding us to be like Him first.

  57. Good post! You’re right we always have to remember to be humble and more like Him! I find myself wanting more comments than followers but having followers means they “like” you and want to follow your blog.
    So it’s hard when you blog because you want a reaction or reassurance, etc!

  58. Kristen,
    You have just written what is on my heart. That is the reason I don’t have a followers thingy on my blog! It just helps me to not have it on there. I appreciate you sharing this. It’s such an important message! Thank you for sharing this!

    Gina

    (BTW…I follow you! BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!)

  59. I’m not looking for more followers… but I would like to be read and commented on occasionally!! 🙂 I am not the greatest of leaders… that might explain my lack of numbers. I contemplate quitting blogging, but it’s my outlet. I just have to figure out the balance, or not be such a perfectionist… or quit trying to please people, and work more on pleasing God… one of these days I’ll figure it out!