Influence

The word influence means to have an affect on somebody that helps to determine that person's actions, behaviour, or way of thinking, or to have the power to affect something.

When I think of those who have influenced me and those I have influenced I find myself wondering what makes someone a "successful" influencer. Is it what they say? How they say it? Is it watching them make a difference in what they do?

For many of us perhaps we don't even see ourselves as influencers, however I would suggest if you have ever influenced a child to eat their vegetables or convinced your friend to purchase those shoes (or boots!) or persuaded someone to make a different choice other than what they were intending, then you are a woman of influence. Even though I hope we all influence others in a positive way, there are (and have been) many people in our world who very negatively impact others with their influence.

We long for you to be a Godly woman of influence to those around you. You may be cheering your child on at their sports game, listening closely at their choir or band concert, responding with a pleasant word of encouragement at your workplace or speaking God's truth and wisdom into a challenging situation, we want you to take the opportunities you encounter each day and influence those around towards Jesus.

Let us intentionally be women of influence who look for situations in our days where we can influence others to draw closer to Jesus.

"Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you're in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labour of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special. When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn't just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions. You paid careful attention to the way we lived among you, and determined to live that way yourselves. In imitating us, you imitated the Master (bold is mine)." 1 Thess 1:2-6 (The Message)

Let's imitate Jesus as we influence those around us.

Jo-Ann