Influence
What you do affects not only yourself, but everyone else around you.
I was at church awhile back and a kid approached me and asked if I knew where another person that attends my church was at. The kid said that this person had invited him to come that night. Well, it turns out that person never showed up. Now, I’m not saying anything bad about the person that didn’t show up. I understand that things come up. Life happens. But this young kid came for the sole purpose that this person invited him. Halfway through the service, this young man got up and walked out.
Our actions all bring forth consequences. I’ve noticed that over the years. The stupid things I do affect everyone else around me just as the good things I do affect everyone around me. If I’m in a bad mood, that in turn will affect the mood of everyone around me. I’ve noticed that even in my own house. When my sister or brother are grumpy (which is almost always, ha jk), I’d rather go to my room than deal with them.
My Pastor once asked, “Are you being influenced by the world around you, or are you influencing the world around you?”
When I used to work at K-mart, way back in the day, I remember one time my boss and a couple other co-workers were taking a break. He started to tell a joke and then he stopped. He looked over at me and said to the others that he would finish the joke later. Out of respect for who I was, a Christian, he refrained from telling a dirty joke. To be honest, I never preached to my boss or even remember telling him I was a Christian, but the way I lived influenced him to watch his language around me.
I always tell people that I don’t put any Christian bumper stickers on my truck because, well, I don’t always drive like a Christian, ha. But suppose I was driving late to church and I cut off someone. They then follow me to the church wanting to fight. How would I explain to them once I got out that I’m a Christian? Maybe I do need to change the way I drive, ha.
The Bible says that we are to be the salt of the earth and the light to the world. We are to be different. We are called to be world changers. You may say, “How can little ol’ me change the world?” That’s a good question. Do you know that it took only a handful of men to start the greatest movement this world has ever known? Twelve disciples spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the entire world.
To change the world you don’t have to be a great TV evangelist. You don’t have to speak to millions in a large stadium. It all starts with reaching the person next to you. What you impart into that one person, that person may impart into someone else. You never know if you will be the person that will lead the next Billy Graham to Christ.
One thing I know about God is that He is fair and true. He doesn’t expect everyone to be great preachers. He doesn’t require all of us to do great exploits. I look at the poor widow who put in only a few pennies into the offering. It was all she had and Jesus said that she gave more than all the others (Mark 12:41-44). God isn’t concerned with numbers. He’s concerned with what you do with what He has given you.
The parable of the talents has three different men in it. God gave one man 5 talents, another man 2 talents and the last man 1 talent. Each was told to take care of their talents while the Master was away. Most of us know the story already. The men with the 5 and 2 talents doubled theirs. The man with the 1 talent buried his. When the Master returned He was disappointed with the man who hid his talent, and it was taken away from him. (Matthew 25:14-30)
God wasn’t concerned with the number. He was concerned with what was done with what was given. If the guy with 5 talents would have buried his, I’m sure the Master would have taken those away too. God has given each and every one of us at least one talent.
We all have a purpose. We all have a call on our life. Each individual’s call is different. God hasn’t called me to be the President or an Astronaut, but He has called me to write. If I’m not writing, then I’m away from His calling on my life, and I wouldn’t be surprised if He took it away from me. I thank God for the opportunity to write this column every week, and in doing so, I hope that my words somehow affect your life.
What has God called you to do? If you’re a teacher, then teach with all God has given you. If you’re a lawyer, then fight for justice. If you’re an accountant, then be honest in your field. If you’re a student right now, study to show yourself approved. Wherever you are at, influence your environment.
Tell someone about Jesus this week. Tell them why you’re a Christian. You can be a world changer. Look at the person to your left. Look at the person to your right. Your influence starts right there. Have a great week!!!
w/muchluv,
geno
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