Throwing Your Weight Around
We are connected to our world through various means today — TV news, texts and calls to and from our family and friends, radio, and social media. Most of us have even begun to rely more heavily on social media as our source of current events. To find out what is happening we have a tendency to turn to Facebook or Instagram instead of one of the major TV News outlets.
Having a social media account means that you will have a certain number of “friends” or “followers”. There is a term for those who are able to obtain a large number of followers and that term is “Influencer”. Most of these so-called influencers are self-proclaimed experts in various subjects. Foodies. Relationship gurus. Money experts. Photographers. There are even those who have gained a bit of traction trying to train modern society in “manners” (all I have to say is, good luck with that!).
Do you want to know a secret? Of course you do!
WE ARE ALL INFLUENCERS!
We don’t need a social media account and gather thousands of followers in order to influence others. We all have the opportunity to make an impact on another person’s life. We can all “throw our weight around” but the question is, how will we influence them? Will we make a positive or negative impact?
In the New Testament book of Matthew, we find Jesus teaching His disciples that they have an opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life. He said to them, “You are the light of the world…let your light so shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14, 16). For those of us who have committed our life to Jesus, Jesus’ words are also meant for us. Our purpose in doing good works is not meant to showcase our abilities and have people exclaim how wonderful we are. Our purpose, in anything we do, is to give the Father glory and exclaim how wonderful HE is! Anything less than that is meaningless.
Who Do We Influence? There is a Greek term used throughout the New Testament and that term is “oikos”. Although our mind might immediately go to a certain brand of yogurt by the same name, it is actually the Greek term for “household”. It is used to describe those who are within our sphere of influence, usually 8-15 people that we “do life with daily.” Family. Friends. Coworkers. Waiter/waitress. Neighbors.
It doesn’t matter what our occupation, our marital status, our socio-economic status, or even our age is regarding our impact on another’s life. We all have the opportunity to influence others.
Not many people will ever reach the level of influence that a Donald Trump or a Tom Cruise attain. But don’t despair. Don’t underestimate what you or your life means to someone else. Most of our impact on the world comes through relationship.
Who Influences Us? Think about what you allow into your mind. How much time do you spend listening to the news or watching videos on social media? How much time do you spend reading and studying the Bible? Praying? Here is a simple answer to the question — those who influence us the most are those to whom we listen! 1 Corinthians 15:33 is pretty straightforward about it, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’”
We can easily get wrapped up in the cares of this world and, unfortunately, allow that to drag us down. But there is a remedy. Don’t just try to ignore what is going on in the world. Don’t just try and “think positive thoughts.” The solution I recommend is to allow your mind to soak in God’s Word. Philippians 4:8 puts is this way, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Let us remember, especially as this world seems to spiral more and more into chaos and trouble. we are ALL called to seek God and be people of integrity.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy people for his own possession,
that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
1 Peter 2.9
