Aim Your Influence

Influence is a little like gasoline. When you leverage your influence, it causes things to really kick in gear. It will accelerate the causes, goals, and tasks it’s used for so be sure you’re pouring gas on the right thing and are pointed in the right direction.

Others will ask you to use your influence for their benefit. Sometimes this will line up with your mission and sometimes it won’t. That’s why it’s so important to know your calling and how God wants to use you. Once you’ve figured out calling, leverage your influence for that purpose but be cautious of who and what you align with to avoid getting caught up in something that is not on mission. (See Nehemiah 6 for a great example of doing this well)

When used wisely, influence can increase but can just as easily be lost if not carefully stewarded. Don’t give away your influence to something that’s not on target.

Aiming your influence can be a little like a hound dog chasing a rabbit. If he keeps at it, he’s got a shot at eventually catching the rabbit. But, if he starts trying to chase two or three rabbits, he’s just going to wear himself out and probably not catch anything. Know your rabbit and stay on track.

You may strongly disagree with someone’s views on a topic but it’s important to consider whether arguing with them will serve God’s purpose for your life. Holding back from response does not equate to apathy, it’s a matter of choosing where to use your influence. By not getting pulled into a heated off-mission debate, you maintain the ability to speak into the other person’s life and engage in a way that will lead them closer to Jesus.

How will you use your influence today?

In pursuit of His best,

Andrew

Pray for Leaders

Everyone follows a leader at some point in their life whether parents, a boss, a coach, teacher, pastor, government officials, military officer, volunteer coordinator, or some other person in leadership. It is important to pray for those who lead us that God will give them wisdom and direction as they make decisions. Whether you personally agree with them or not, pray that they will seek God’s direction and wisdom.

I Timothy 2: 1-2 says, “I urge then first of all that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

The weight of leadership can lead to loneliness in the very ones who are responsible for large numbers of other people. Sometimes a leader just needs a friend to share their burdens with and to encourage them. If you’re not in direct leadership, you can still have great influence by praying with, speaking truth and encouragement into a leader’s life.

When you have the opportunity to lead others, don’t feel that you have to bear the full weight of responsibility alone. Pray like crazy and seek out others for counsel and support. Proverbs 15:22 says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”

Pray for your boss, coach, teacher, government leaders, pastor, and anyone who has a position of oversight and influence. When appropriate, let them know about it too. Knowing that someone is lifting you up in prayer can be encouraging in the midst of a stressful situation.

Take a moment right now to pray for your leaders that God will guide and give them wisdom.

In pursuit of His best,

Andrew

Timeless Love

Both of my grandparents have deeply invested in people throughout their lives. My granddad is one of the most positive people I know. His love for Jesus and others is unparalleled. My grandmother is a quiet prayer warrior, has cooked tens of thousands of meals, and baked armies of gingerbread men among countless other cookies, cakes, and delicious deserts.

At a recent family event, I saw one of the most timeless expressions of love that I’ve ever seen. Due to some health conditions, my granddad is temporarily in a nursing home while my grandmother is homebound and they don’t get to see each other. They’ve both been in wheelchairs for mobility recently and saw each other for the first time in 3 weeks. 

The emotion and joy in their faces at seeing each other was like a groom and bride seeing each other on their wedding day. With tears in his eyes and a smile on his face indeed my granddad said, “That’s my bride, isn’t she pretty” as they wheeled her towards him. The beauty and emotion in that moment was priceless.

After 65 years of marriage, their relationship is deeper than ever. What an awesome example of two people’s love for each other. I certainly hope for this depth of love in my own life someday.

In pursuit of His best,

Andrew