- He shared his teachings with the crowds
- He shared his ministry with the 72 disciples
- He shared his responsibility with the 12 apostles
- He shared his life with his 3 closest friends - Peter, James, and John
In reproducing your influence to the world around you, how do you do it at each of the four levels above?
- Serving those around you
- Initiating conversation with those who ask questions
- Inviting those who are interested to participate with you
- Investing your life in a close group of friends
5 comments:
Since this is our irst "blogging", I wanted to refer to the first message in the influence series. We were given a homjework assignment to write down the people we had influence with. I immediatly thought of family close friends, SS Class, but then I started thinging of Sweet Adeline group, living in a comples with 1000 people! and All the grocery stores I am in. After almost 18 years I know alot of employees and well as customers at 6 diferent stores. That blew me away! I realized from that day the importance of "influence" and I keep my domino right where I can see it to remember. That first week set up the series for me and it has meant so much more than it would have otherwise.
I am also appreciative of the visual reminder to pray in the form of a domino. On the back of it, I have written the prayer "God, how can I be an influence for You today?" I am only beginning to wonder what sort of influence I may have on others who are older than 4th & 5th graders! :) One thing I think I have come to terms with as I am older & hopefully wiser, is that manipulation is not a Godly way to use my influence. I believe I had a problem with that in the past.
I find it a narrow line to walk when inviting people to church. Many just do not feel comfortable in any church environment, even the most casual.It's scary to realize how many people have not had even a most basic experience in church, such as Sunday school. This is where I think children learn best about caring and respecting others, and I have witnessed the decline of such values, and the increase of the "I am not to blame, and it's all about me" attitude. I also see a hardening toward all things "God" related. It is a scary thing. In the face of this, it is discouraging to try to be an influence to others, but we must not give up. For myself, I have made a few personal changes, & stepped out of my comfort zone during this series. I added a new way to serve in my life, and I have been praying for my attitude with a certain difficult person...(whoa!..Tough!)I made myself put aside some stupid feelings, and decided to try and get to know one or two people a little better. After all, I cannot be an influence, if I do not know them. I listed my sphere of influence, and I made a folder to keep the notes, that I may refer to them. I am still stumbling. I find when I am filled with desire to serve and grow, that of course, that's just when the attack begins.....derails me more often that I would like and paralyzes me, which is just what satan intended... The thing I know I must do is the thing I am not so good at - prayer. But, when I finally recognize the attack for what it is, then I reach out for my Lord.
I agree that the domino has been a good reminder of the idea of influence in our day to day lives. I keep one on my desk at work and one near my telephone at home. I'm not sure how I ended up with two, but it's good to have as many reminders as possible around us. I have been challenged to influence one particular person during the next calendar year, and I'm working on ways to make that happen.
On the back of the domino you gave me the first day of this series, I wrote the challenge you gave us to go along with it - " how can I be an influence for You today ". I have it in the cabinet with my mornings pills, so it's the last thing I see before I leave in the morning. It really helps me focus right from the start of my day on how my actions and reactions affect those around me. So many people are impacted by how I act and react, from those I meet on my way, to my co-workers and patients, straight through my day.
This is the first time I have every done this type of thing so here goes... I never through how much I can and have influenced all the people around me. I have worked with people most of my life. I have tried to help people who have needed help because of things that have happened to them. God, my very best friend, have allowed me to go through some very hard times and to come out a more understanding and caring person. I recently found out that staff I use to work with still go back to things they say I taugh and showed them about working with people. I never through that these things would stay with them. I see my family and now know that what I say and do impacks them as well. I pray every day that what I say will be the right thing and that I am able to guide them on the right path to the Lord. Some of my family really need lots of prayer and help right now and I hope I can give it to them. With the Lord's help I want to influence them to walk with the Lord and to know him as the close and loving influence He is. Thank you Paster Ray for this new experience.
Post a Comment