My Word for April 20th is INFLUENTIAL

MY WORD FOR APRIL 20^TH IS INFLUENTIAL

The April 30, 2012 edition of TIME magazine featured “The 100 Most Influential People in the World”.  As I began to read and skim through I realized that I didn’t recognize many of these people.  Of course you had some that have been discussed in the news either for years or because of something they were involved in the past 6 months.  The list consisted of people such as, Hillary Clinton, Matt Romney, Adele, Rihanna, Warren Buffett, Tim Tebow, and Viola Davis.  I questioned what makes the 100 influential?  To the writers and reporters of Time magazine they are the people that are pioneers, moguls, leaders, and icons.  These people are making enduring impact around the globe.  They are leaders that are emerging in unlikely places.  These reporters look for the breadth and depth of people.  These are the people that are changing people’s perceptions of the world.  Richard Stengel, editor of Time says, “The Time 100 list is about the infinite possibilities of influence and the power of influence to change the world”. 

The ripple effect in countless fields is what the majority of these people have done.  They have caused change.  Money doesn’t equal influence but it doesn’t hurt and most of the 100 make a very large income.  There were some things stated about a few of the 100 that stood out to me.

·      Her faith in the Almighty has allowed her to have strength, stamina and amazing spirit

·      Even with fame she is real.  It isn’t all about her.  She gives part of herself to the ordinary person that she meets.

·      He wasn’t intimidated and he has healed. 

·      The blend of work ethic, skill, and grace will be a powerful force.

·      His presence is already massive.  It will only increase.

·      She showed bravery speaking the truth and having to face those who would tell her to stay quiet.  She stood up to what was right.

·      We are Americans and Americans don’t give up.

·      The smile mysteriously and keep their mouth shut.

·      She is an advocate.

·      He is sincere; he doesn’t speak with marbles in his mouth.

·      He has the ability to stand boldly against hostile trends and thereby alter them. 

·      He got rid of the waste that plagued our state. 

·      Life is much more than playing on the filed.  He has been blessed and seeks to help those who are worse off.  He is unashamed of his convictions and faith and he lives a life that consistently reaches out to people and communities in need. 

As I read through this bakers’ dozen statements that I listed above, I realized that these remind me of whom the most influential person in our lives is, the Lord.  He has strength, stamina, and an amazing spirit.  He is real and gives himself to the ordinary person.  He isn’t intimidated and he does heal.  He has great work ethic, which he works with skill and grace.  His presence is massive and only increases.  He is brave and always speaks the truth, while others lag behind.  He never gives up on us and He teaches us when our tongues need to stay silent.  He is an advocate for change if needed and is sincere and honest.   He is bold when up against the hostile.  He gets rid of the waste that harms us.  With him we are blessed.   He isn’t ashamed of who he is or what he believes in.  He is consistently reaching out to others and helping us who are in need.  God is the most influential person in the world.   Just as Warren Buffet stated, “Life isn’t just about the value you seek it is about the values you stand for”.  Go to Him and he will influence you to be the best that you can be.  Believe in him and his values and you too will be an advocate for change being an influence to others just as the 100 have been. 

Dear Lord guide us to others who need our spiritual influence.  We know that by living by your values and sharing with others gives You glory.   Help all of us who are ordinary to be extraordinary spreading Your goodness.  We can all be influential.  Assist us during this journey of 2012 to influence those around us to become closer to You.   

Matthew 5:13-16 When a Christian is teaching God's word to another person, then God is influencing them as well. Even as we live our lives in accordance to God's teaching, then our examples becomes an influence on others as well and gives God glory

Time, time.com, The 100 Most Influential People in the World, April 30,2012, TIME Vol 179, NO. 17| 2012