WE FULFILL THE CALL OF GOD THROUGH INFLUENCE

Influence is a strange thing to understand. Most people grossly underestimate how much influence they have. They are con- vinced that no one ever listens to or watches them and that no- body will ever remember what they’ve said or done. Influence is difficult to quantify, but the weight of it is felt in tangible ways. If influence is measured by volume, then the most influen- tial person on the planet is a rock star. If influence is measured by fervency, it’s highly likely the most influential person on the planet is a young Muslim with a bomb in his backpack. In truth, these two people may entertain or frighten millions, but neither truly influences many in the long run. They make a splash in the pond of time, but neither creates a current that moves people or things in a lasting way. A person who is truly influential pos- sesses the ability to affect the long-term decisions and quality of life of others. They have the capacity to produce lasting change in the hearts and behavior of people. Only God has all the infor- mation necessary to evaluate true influence and impact.

While we rightfully associate influence with power, there is

an ironic twist to how it works in the Kingdom of God. From God’s perspective, influence is usually released with a whisper. It is the kind word spoken to the harried co-worker. It is the glance of approval or the word of appreciation given to an eager child or a friend. Its power lies not in volume or shock value, but in consistency and sincerity. Ask someone who has made the deep- est, most lasting impact on them and they will usually tell you about someone they have observed over an extended period of time. While we may be temporarily wowed by stage presence and pizzazz, deep within we are impacted most by the people who walk out their commitments with daily consistency. This approach to life is the one valued by God. It is called faithful- ness and it operates in meekness. God sees, esteems, remembers and then rewards the labors of love done for others out of love for Him, and promises to always remember every word or deed in service to others for the sake of His name.

For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints. (Hebrews 6:10)

Whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, as- suredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward. (Matthew 10:42)

Jesus taught that using our money to do acts of kindness in this age will be remembered and have an impact on our relation- ships in the age to come. In fact, Jesus said that when we give money to people in this life and meet them in the age to come, they will remember our sacrificial gifts.

I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. (Luke 16:9)

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