Influencing Others

I read this quote today: "Just one person taking action can inspire others to do the same."

This quote reveals a principle I have seen in my own life recently. Since I have been running and training for a marathon, two other people I know have made the decision to run the Chicago Marathon. Several other people in my office have acquired an interest in running and all of us have participated in a 5K race (3.2 miles) and two of us a 5 mile race. I made the choice to run a marathon and took action. As a result, other people have chosen to take an interest in running and do the same thing. Another example is my blogsite. I started my blogsite in March and told a couple of people about it. One of my friends started her blogsite not too long after I started mine.

While this is fine, what I truly want is for people to see the actions I take because of my faith and be inspired to do the same. All I can do is live my life for God and let Him use my obedience to affect and influence others.

A negative example of influence is someone I know who left his family for another woman and her children. Several months after this man did what he did, his friend and business partner did the same thing; he left his wife and kids and moved in with the other woman while he is still married and the other woman is still married. One man took immoral action and another followed. As a result, four families have been broken apart as two married men and two married women decided they wanted spouses that didn’t belong to them. They wanted and they took action and went after something that didn’t belong to them. Their behavior has created a damage path a mile wide in the lives of seven children and the four spouses who have been left behind.

As I think about influencing others, I am reminded of many years ago when the Lord told me to be careful because I never know who I am influencing by my actions…influencing for the good or for the bad. I pray that I NEVER influence someone to sin by my behavior. I pray to always and only influence others in a positive way, whether it’s taking up running to improve physical fitness or inspiring someone to imitate some of my spiritual disciplines.

Prayer: Father God, keep me from willful sin and help me to NEVER NEVER NEVER set a sinful example for someone to follow. Give me the courage to trust and obey You in all things so that others will see the good deeds I do and praise You. Amen.