#266: Making the Most of Your Influence

The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

I remember a story I heard years ago about an elderly woman who was a widow. She lived alone in her home which was only a few blocks away from a major university. When she was a young woman she had felt the call of God to be a missionary to China. At the time she had fallen in love with a young man. It wasn’t long before they were married. Her husband didn’t feel called to go to China, so they never went.

Throughout her life, she felt that she had missed her calling and her purpose. But one day she was looking out her living room window and noticed a Chinese student walking on the side walk. At that moment, she heard God’s voice telling her to invite the student into her home for cookies and tea. For a moment she hesitate, but then stepped out in faith to obey God.

The Chinese man was an international student at the university near her home. The elderly woman welcomed the student with cookies, tea, conversation, and grandmotherly hospitality. She asked the student if he would like to come back again, and he did. He began to bring other Chinese students. They too, were warmed by her hospitality.

It wasn’t long before the woman invited her new friends to participate in a Bible study in her home. Over the next few years, she led 75 Chinese students to trust Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

This story reminds me about the influence God gives us. Everyone has influence, even an elderly widow. You have influence and so do I.

The question is: What will we do with the influence God has given us? God expect you to make the most of what He has given you.

The Word for this in the Bible is “stewardship.” Sometimes people think stewardship means money. It does not. Stewardship is an old English word for “management.” We are managers of the resources God has given us. What resources? Your life, your physical body, your time, your finances, your gifts/talents/skill, your opportunities, and your influence.

Matthew 5:13-16 – “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

You and I are in a position to have incredible influence on our world. God wants to use us! He wants our lives to make a difference in this world.

“Let your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven!” Jesus is saying “Don’t waste your influence. You don’t buy a lamp and then hide it. Use the influence God has given you.

Everyone has influence. You are far more influential than you think. You just don’t realize it. You are probably thinking, “Who do I influence?” Everyone you come in contact with: Family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, people you go to school with, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, children, little league team, PTA.

Anyone you come in contact with during the day, you have a potential influence on their life. You can make or break a store clerk’s day; waiter, by how you treat them. You can influence sales people, gardeners, mail carriers, people at the hair salon, bank attendant…everyone you come in contact with.

Today’s Challenge: There’s no limit to the impact you can make on the lives of others. But there is a key. The key – You have to be intentional. Let’s determine to influence people for Jesus today.