We live in a digital society that craves compliments and validation through virtual followers and emoji notifications. An individual’s popularity is figured by how many followers have subscribed to that individual’s various social media accounts and what the response is to the account holder’s daily if not hourly musings. Yet, I pose the question, which is more important? Is it better to be liked or to be viewed? Let’s use Instagram for our experiment.
According to a blog on hootsuite.com: https://blog.hootsuite.com/instagram-statistics/
- There are over 600 million monthly Instagram users
- Over 40 billion photos have been shared to date with an average of 95 million photos and videos posted per day.
- Instagram users “like” 4.2 billion posts per day
These numbers are astronomical. Everyone from tweens to fortune 500 companies is fighting for “likes”.
The average photo receives an average of 37 interactions per 1,000 followers, while videos average 24 interactions per 1,000 followers. https://blog.bufferapp.com/instagram-stats-instagram-tips
Here is the point. With all of the effort to beat the Instagram algorithm and garner as many likes as possible, there are some followers who will rarely if ever like the things you post.
Matthew 7:20, “Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
People may not like everything you do…
However, they are watching everything you do…
Grab a big glove and catch this. The bible said nothing about testing the fruit to see if it tastes like what it is called. I know an apple, pineapple, banana, or grape before I touch or taste them. An apple will never be a grape and you shouldn’t put effort to be anything other than yourself.
It is ok to go against the majority. Leaders don’t follow the crowd, the crowd follows the leader. Winston Churchill put it this way, “Kites rise highest against the wind not with it!”
In your efforts to gain likes are you losing your real identity in a filter or a mask?
There are people who are supporting your good morals, great choices, and positive moves without letting you know. Living a righteous life is still the right thing to do even if you don’t get recognized for it.
When we work to please God, He will prepare opportunity for us to get rightfully noticed and “liked”. Matthew 6:33 and Colossians 1:10-12
So, back to the original question. Is it better to be liked or viewed?
Here is my answer.
Knowing that there are viewers/followers that may never “like” you or physically tell you they “like” you, I believe that you should be the best you everyday. Share your accomplishments be proud of your achievements and witness about God’s faithfulness. If they like you, great. If they don’t, they still saw how good God has been to you.
Here is a bonus. Likes and views are fun, but God requires more than earthly appreciation. There is a button I love to use on Instagram, it looks like a paper airplane. That button allows me to give others the things that have made me laugh, smile, rejoice, and reflect.
Before Jesus ascended to heaven, the disciples and us were left with a great responsibility. We were told to share.
What have you done worth sharing and who have you shared with/about today?
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