Social media and the blogosphere are filled with influencers and/or people admiring the success of influencers. The platforms built by these successful individuals are often desirable; for they have the ‘ear’ of hundreds, thousands, even millions of people. Once you have a person’s ear, your words begin to have power over their thoughts, beliefs, and actions. Influencers can even wield power over another’s decisions. Pretty powerful, huh?
Even if we don’t have a huge platform, we have a circle of influence. These are a core four, a fab five, or maybe even a quick six. They may include people that we hang out with, work with, live with, etc. They are our besties, siblings, parents, spouses, children, neighbors, and friends. These are our VIPs (very important people) who are often influenced by what we say, moved by what we do, and affected by who we are. Again, a pretty powerful position.
So, let me ask…how do you wield your power? Cutting words of critique or constructive words that foster kindness and promote growth? Are you building or destroying with the words you speak? Does your counsel cultivate and encourage or extinguish and demolish? These can be tough questions when we are sincerely interested in growing in Godliness.
Reflect on your most recent conversations…with people you like…and those you don’t. Review the conversations from the other person’s perspective. Be self-aware in the process and keep asking the tough questions of your motive and tone. This is very necessary. Do we want people walking around wounded from our words, aching from our actions, or bleeding from our brokenness? No, we don’t. If we check ourselves, the Lord won’t have to do so.
Reflection quote:
Kris Valotton of Bethel Church in Redding, CA shared, “He who gives the most hope will have the greatest influence.”
Gut punching word, huh? 🙂
Final thoughts:
Give hope away like it’s cheap candy. Make others feel good when they leave your presence, read your texts or scroll past your social media page. In giving the world hope, I declare that you will become an influencer that stands the test of time.
Colin 😉
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