There is a buzzword in the marketing world: Influencers. Have you heard of it before? In short, it is an advertising strategy aimed at riding the cultural wave of popularity. Literally, it is targeting the people on the internet with the largest reach and paying them to adopt and promote a particular product, idea, or attitude. Hence, using their influence for strategic and exponential impact.

Even if you don’t feel like you have this type of power to influence, you are an Influencer nonetheless. You have influence in the lives of your children. Friends. Co-workers. Even strangers. Where do you stand on issues? Do you feel called to speak up and be heard? Perhaps you have a passion for an area where there is a real need. If any of these hold true, you have the potential to influence and make an impact.

Influence is power. It has the propensity for action and is multidirectional in that it can trend positive or negative depending on the intention of the source. All this to say, we must be careful with our places of influence; mindful of the objective.

When it comes to influence, knowing your audience is key. And if you can keep your perspective in-line with The Great Commission, then there’s really only the audience of one that matters. If your allegiance is to Him, you will be a master Influencer in your sphere, and beyond, because your intention will be in step with His.

After Jesus’ death on the cross, he appeared to his disciples in Galilee before ascending into heaven and gave marching orders to his followers know as, The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). His instruction—be His witnesses to the ends of the earth; to teach and disciple what we have learned and been given through the gift and knowledge of the Spirit within us.

This is a great task, a great responsibility, pregnant with the power of influence. And where there’s influence, there’s usually impact. This is what we’ve been called to do. To GO and to DO for great impact.

Under the very large umbrella of The Great Commission of evangelism and discipleship are many avenues of influence.

An interesting example from the Bible is found in the life of Joseph. You can read the full account in Genesis 37-47. Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase that Joseph went from the ‘prison to the palace’. Well, it all began at the point of influence of his father’s gift—an ornate cloak. This gift was not only unique and special, but it was an outward sign of his influence.

Have you ever received words of influence or a gift that had real impact on your life or your identity? Something that caused you to lift your head a little higher because of the knowledge that you had a purpose to impact the greater good? This was Joseph’s story, and this is also our story.

Oftentimes, our places of influence are grown in the soil of our places of pain. These are places where others can identify and connect with us on common ground. Like Joseph, we also need to meet every obstacle as an opportunity by extending the gift of influence to which we’ve been entrusted. It will take quiet resolve and the posture of perseverance, but when used for the good of another, the impact of today can reach into the generations of tomorrow.

“And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)

Our identity impacts our influence. God, our heavenly father, influences us so we can influence others. He bestows on us a kingdom identity. One of grace, love, and acceptance. We are loved. We are approved. We are His, period! This should free us from fear and provide confidence in all our today’s and tomorrows.

This week, be on the lookout for opportunities to use this gift of identity in Christ to influence someone else. When you do so and extend influence to others, “…Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.” (Philippians 2:15b-16)

Reflect and Respond:

There are people all around you that are in need. They are searching for something more than what this life tends to offer. Pursue them. Ask questions. Open your heart to understand where God is leading, and to whom God is calling you to serve with your influence. Then reach a little beyond your circles of influence and make those God moments count.

You have something to give. Something to share. Something to offer. What is it?

Hugs for a great week and remember, you are not alone. Be blessed and be on the lookout for opportunities of influence.