The Alpha Rhythm: Superseding The Algorithm
Our faith is being censored, and it’s serious.
If you have any experience using social media, you’ve probably heard the term “algorithm.” Information flows into “the feed” of what is seen in social media platforms by way of the algorithm. What, exactly, is it?
In the most general sense, an algorithm is a system of instructions telling a computer how to transform data into information and knowledge for people.
In Internet terms, it is a process of scanning and sorting information that determines whether the sharing of that information is made more widely available for others to see.
Have you ever heard of something “going viral?” Algorithms play a role in a post or video going viral. In a survey observation about algorithms, shared from pewresearch.org*: algorithms have the capability to shape individuals’ decisions without them even knowing it, giving those who have control of the algorithms an unfair position of power.
Why am I writing a blog about algorithms? I have become aware, due to personally being censored on my faith-based platform** launched several years ago, that there is a great deal of censorship happening to intentionally suppress faith-related content on the internet.
“No way...not in America...” you say? I’m here to tell you, it’s way happening. I have repeatedly had friends tell me things like, “Sometimes your page won’t let me put a comment on a post...” or, “I’ve been noticing that my hearts disappear after I like I one of your posts.”
I’ve also learned that certain things I share are hidden from people who are following my page. They literally tell me it’s not there, when I describe to them what they should be seeing that has been posted or shared in Instagram stories.
And I am not the only one this is happening to. I’m hearing about faith platforms with large followings, who have a lot more followers than I do, “suddenly” losing thousands of followers overnight, or being blocked from posting for no reason.
What on earth is happening? America is supposed to be a country of free speech, freedom of religion, and free thinking, right?! Within the question is the answer. What, on earth....?
I was in prayer about this recently, asking The Lord if I should shut down my platform because it often feels like I’m wasting my time and making little impact. If some of what I’m sharing is being hidden from people, and if their responses are also being suppressed or blocked, what is the point of continuing with it?
I was reminded that satan is the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:1) and that 1 John 5:19 tells us the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. Therefore, it shouldn’t be surprising that the Good News of the Gospel is a target of censorship. Jesus said in John 15:20: “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.”
The enemy does not want people to be grounded in faith and amored up with Truth. He does not want people to know that [we] can do all things through Christ Who strengthens [us] (Philippians 4:13) and that when we store up His Truth in our hearts, we can overcome the world (John 16:33). So, satan pulls out all the stops to keep us from grabbing hold of this truth. In a system that is designed to hide faith content and suppress likes and follows of faith encouraging posts and platforms, an algorithm that serves his purpose feeds the plans of “the father of lies” (John 8:44) and suppresses the plans of our Creator, Whose plans are “to prosper and not to harm us, to give us a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
During my prayer time, I felt God impress these words from Revelation 22:13 in my heart:
“I am the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. The first and the last.”
I further heard in my spirit:
“My Alpha Rhythm supersedes the algorithym.”
Wow! What a Word!
I could not help but be encouraged by this message that was a reminder of Who is on the throne of heaven. The Alpha and the Omega. The One true God. I also felt in my heart a double-meaning of the word supersedes – SUPER SEEDS! There are sooooo (sow!) many Scriptures comparing the Word of God to seeds, and the victorious fruit it brings to those who persist in sowing it. Here are just a few:
Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Psalm 126:5
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
His Word also tells us what will ultimately happen to seeds the enemy (and anyone serving him) sows:
Proverbs 22:8
Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.
When faith is being censored, hope is being hijacked. It’s like a lifeboat being prevented from rescuing drowning people. The enemy never ceases pulling his tricks to cease the gospel from reaching people, so the people of God are to PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!
So, I now have a new habit that keeps me persisting in the midst of unjust censorship. Each time I create a faith post or publish a faith blog, I say this prayer:
“Father God in heaven, let Your Alpha Rhythm supersede the algorithm with this post/blog. Carry it to whoever you want to see it, and hide it from whoever would try to hide it. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
If you’re reading this right now, I would love to hear how my blogs and posts are impacting you!
reSOURCEs:
*Pewresearch.org:
https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2017/02/08/code-dependent-pros-and-cons-of-the-algorithm-age/
**My faith-based platform: God and My Girlfriends Stories (Instagram & Facebook)