Influence…

I have been noticing lately a strange paradox in the pursuit of influence.  I think embedded in this paradox is an important message.

When men and women begin to seek positions of influence, the desire is often sparked by a genuine desire to do good, or repair social ills.  A real sense that from a position of influence I can make a difference.  It is the process of gaining these positions that has caught my attention.

It seems that in many cases the process of gaining influence can alter or even distort the original message or messages that led the person to seek influence in the first place.

Our political system is a great example.  A young politician gains popularity because of a message or a stance.  The sphere of influence is increased because of popularity.  Some will say, “with greater position comes more influence…more opportunity to do good…”  The pursuit begins.  Our young leader begins to shift his goal…subtly at first, but as the race heats up, the focus on “winning the race”. or “defeating the bad guy” replaces the original message.  In some cases this can be a distraction, in other cases it can lead to compromise, or even corruption.  To gain greater popular support, more people must be pleased.  People pleasing is risky.

The process of gaining influence has undermined the reason for which influence was initially sought.

Consider the process Jesus pursued.  He did not run for office.  He did not build an organization.  He rigidly avoided people-pleasing.  What did He do?  He went about doing good to all men.  He proclaimed and demonstrated to indiviuals and small crowds that God had come back to the earth and made Himself available again.  He opened a door for those who would voluntarily follow.  Then He said “it is finished”.

Really?

Finished?

It seems we have so much to do.  We must influence the masses.  We must gain positions of influence.  We must increase our visibility, and our positional authority.

Really?

What if…

Today you loved someone unlovable.

This week you served someone who could do nothing for you

You begin to give time and resources to someone who has less than you, and told no one about it.

You begin to surrender your thoughts and motives in every moment to the present work of God in that moment

You began to give God honoring worshipful time when nobody could see

You allowed God to show you things about yourself you don’t want to see

You began to re-present God to those least likely to understand what you were doing…

You loved those who hate you

You honored those who have not earned it

If one of us did that, people would be influenced by that

If that one kept doing that, people might ask that one to be aleader

If they continued to influence others, soon people would begin to suggest that they run for office, or go into “professional ministry”

But what if we all did that?  Just a thought.