Sunday, September 20, 2015

Influence...it's a funny thing isn't it? We all have influence. Some of us choose to ignore our influence or pretend that it doesn't exist...but we all have influence; don't kid yourself. 

You have the ability to influence people in a way that takes them forward, holds them in place, or pushes them further back. How do you influence? Who have you influenced? Who is influencing you?

I'm a firm believer that our lives often reflect very closely people & elements we have allowed to influence us. You have control over what you allow to influence you...you also have control over how you influence others.

Saturday night I had the opportunity to attend a Lecrae concert in Topeka, KS with my family & some good friends. As I was standing there, watching & listening (& feeling the bass thump in my chest)...I couldn't help but just observe my son as he looked. Lecrae is easily one of his favorite artists & he knows the words to nearly every song. His favorite two songs: "Tell The World" & "Background". I am so grateful for people like Lecrae who have chosen to influence people like my son in a way that takes him forward. "Tell The World" is a song about being a billboard for Jesus. Represent Him to the world. "Background" is a song about getting out of the way & letting God lead your life while you play the background. There aren't any greater things that I pray for in my son's life than these two things. That he would allow God to lead him & that he would grow to be a man who is a billboard for God. As I watched my son in his element, singing & dancing to someone he has been so influenced by...I couldn't help but be grateful.

Grateful for everyone who has influenced my life. Family, friends, coaches, teachers, professors, counselors, doctors, pastors...so many I can't even begin to name them. My life, my family & my ministry is a reflection of those who have influenced me. I'm also grateful for the many opportunities I have had to influence others over the years. Whether in coffee shops or basketball arenas, football locker rooms or church sanctuaries, at funeral & weddings...or at business meetings. I am so grateful for the opportunities to influence & I look forward to many, many more. 

Influence is a funny thing...It contributes to making you who you are...and yet, it is also something that you can use to change the life of others. 

Always Believe,

J

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for the positive, yet sometimes painful influence you have been in my life.

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