Christmas Rat
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:12
INSIGHT
If you ever doubted you’ve been given influence, I present to you Exhibit A: Remy. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this fellow, he is the Elf that resides on our shelf during the holiday season. And, yes, for all you Pixar fans, he was indeed named after the cooking rat from the movie Ratatouille. I figured it was only fitting considering this elf rats out my kids’ bad behavior to the jolly old man living in the North Pole.
It’s funny how knowing a tiny little doll’s eyes are watching causes my kids to get their act together and behave. Remy does nothing but lounge around the house all day. Most evenings he doesn’t even move, and he routinely stays in the same spot for days (mainly because I’m a lazy parent). Yet, his presence influences the actions of our girls.
The reality is that everyone has influence. No matter your role, title, profession or platform, we all have people looking to us. No matter if you have an audience in the thousands or just a single person in the seats, someone is in attendance and paying attention. Each one of us has a sphere of influence where our actions and words ripple out and impact the lives of others. However, unlike Remy, as believers, we are called to look outside ourselves and leverage the influence we’ve been given to bring hope and grace to the world.
For those of you who are parents, your children are looking to you for guidance, wisdom, and love. What speaks volumes to them is not what you say, but how you live your life and how you make them feel. At work, your co-worker or the team you lead needs someone who does their job with integrity and values people over the bottom line. Our character is the most powerful currency we have to influence others.
Every day you pull into your driveway, neighbors who each have a story surround you. Then there are the people you rub shoulders with at the classroom, gym, or coffee shop. They are desperately searching to find significance and meaning for their lives. They are waiting for someone to walk beside them and introduce them to the amazing love of a Savior.
REFLECTION
Identify the places where you’ve been given influence (school, work, family, community, etc.)
What are you doing with the influence you’ve been given? Would you say you are stewarding your influence well? Why or why not? What makes you answer in the way that you do?
What opportunities have presented themselves to invest in the lives of others?
PRAYER
God, may I be more concerned with my integrity than the size of my platform. May my ministry, and the impact I have on others, flow from my walk. Any influence I’ve been given is a gift from You, so I shouldn’t take it for granted. Regardless of whether I have an audience of a thousand or just a single soul, help me to steward my influence well. Give me the courage to step into opportunities when they present themselves. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.