Influence

What kind of life are you choosing to lead?  What type of mark do you want to leave behind on this earth?  Do your actions have a positive influence on those around you or a negative influence? 

Yesterday at church, the pastor's wife delivered an amazing sermon.  She spoke of how we are influenced and how we influence others around us everyday.  It is not necessarily intentional, but every action and word spoken will influence those you surround yourself with.  Whether in person or on social media,  "are you living to be followed?" (K. Miller)

This simple question touched so many of us in different ways.  Mothers, daughters, old, and young could all relate.  1 Corinthians 11:1 says, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ".  Our young children will follow our example without being told.  They learn our ways as they grow, just as they learn language.  But are our ways examples of living for Christ?   Are we teaching the lessons we want them to hold onto forever? (Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.")

My teenager struggles with wanting to fit in to a school where God is not a priority.  She sometimes makes questionable choices in order to feel like she belongs.  She left church today feeling that she can lead by example rather than compromising herself to be like others.  1 Timothy 4:12 says, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity".   You are never too young to be a positive influence in someone's  life.

So as I tell my 5th grader everyday before she gets on the bus, shine for Jesus today.  You never know when your positive energy will influence someone for the better.   "Are you living to be followed?"

Grab a latte, put up your feet, and join the discussion!