We see tastemaker often used these days to describe an individual that seems to have established a personal stride that others want to follow. They are people who have garnered celebrity status as a result of the sheer number who follow their every move. By definition, a tastemaker is a person whose judgements about what is good are accepted and followed by many people.
I am not someone who follows a tastemaker, as such, but I do think there is merit in being able to speak into the lives of so many. It is a huge responsibility when you know that people are looking for guidance in life. Do you remember the movie Forrest Gump that came out in the 90’s? There was an interesting part of the movie that I thought of while writing this post. One day Forrest started to run, and run, and run some more. In fact, he ran for so long, and developed such a following of people that were running behind him, that he was attaining celebrity status. But, one day he just stopped, simply said he was tired and that he was going home. The comments from the many who were behind him were revealing as they professed, “What are we supposed to do now?”
There are many things in this life that are wildly popular one day, but the next day are just a memory, and people are left scrambling while they figure out their next move, or next attachment.
Tastemaker is a relatively new term, but its concept is far from new. Two thousand years ago Jesus was a true tastemaker, and He commissioned us to do likewise. Jesus set the stage for the miraculous, for redemption, for all that would make it possible for us to return to the Father. Real lasting relevance, affecting us for all of eternity, that only our ultimate Tastemaker could accomplish.
Psalm 31:3 NKJV For You are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name’s sake, Lead me and guide me.