Influence: the
capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of
someone or something.
One day, I was trying to turn around a median in an
unfamiliar area, when I realized I had gone the wrong way around the median. The worst thing was is that three cars were following me!
That
is the way our lives are: our lives are like a book that is read by others,
making a huge impact for good or bad.[1]
My
Dad used to constantly remind us of the importance of using our influence for good, and he used to tell us that you
will never realize how many lives you have impacted for good or bad just by
your example.
One of the criteria I always told my children to
look for when choosing a friend or dating someone is whether the person made
them a better person, as well as if they
made the other person a better
person by being in their life. That is something I want in my marriage:
to make my husband a better person by me being in his life, and to
let him make me a better person because he is in my life!
I want people to think about me and think they
were better because I was in their
lives, not worse! I am keenly aware
that my influence in the lives of others is a very powerful force, and I really
work on making sure that my influence makes this world a more beautiful,
exciting, fun, and appreciated place.
Did
you realize that we are going to give account for the stewardship of the time,
talents and money God has given us and how we spent it? Particularly how you
impacted and influenced the lives of others.
Actually
I LOVE the Greek word for “wicked” (when it tells us to put the wicked away
from us[2])
actually means harmful in effect or influence. That is who is wicked to God: someone who is
influencing others for things that will be bad for them.[3]
We always made a big deal about influence in
our family. I showed the older ones many examples of how the younger ones
followed after them; emphasizing the importance of every little thing we did
when others' eyes are on us.
Remember that you are always an example, for
good or bad, to others that we influence, sometimes even when we don’t realize they are influencing others.
Embed in your hearts and minds the realization that what we do and how we
behave impacts the world around us.
Here is a great
poem I used to read to my children, and because of Jesse’s incredible influence
with his siblings, I put this poem with Jesse's and Daniel's picture in their
album:
There are little
eyes upon you
and they're
watching night and day.
There are little
ears that quickly
take in every
word you say.
There are little
hands all eager
to do anything
you do;
And a little boy
who's dreaming
of the day he'll
be like you.
You're the little
fellow's idol,
you're the wisest
of the wise.
In his little
mind about you
no suspicions
ever rise.
He believes in
you devoutly,
holds all you say
and do;
He will say and
do, in your way
when he's grown
up just like you.
There's a
wide-eyed little fellow
who believes
you're always right;
and his eyes are
always opened,
and he watches
day and night.
You are setting
an example
every day in all
you do;
For the little
boy who's waiting
to grow up to be
like you.
Challenge: What do others say about your influence
in their lives? When you are around do you pull greatness from others, or assist and encourage them to do things
that are zero impact or even a negative in their lives? When people look back
at times spent with you, will they remember that you made their lives better or worse?
Use your influence for good! Make a positive
difference wherever you go and with whomever you come in contact with! Make the
world a better place because you are in it, and start with those closest to
you! Not only will your life make a difference in the lives of others and your
own life too, but the things you do will not be burned away when the fire tests
what you spent your efforts on!
[1] 2 Corinthians 3.2
[2] 1 Corinthians 5.13
[3] 1
Corinthians 3:9–15 (GW)
