Iron Sharpens Iron

Influence Continued...

EXCERPT:
“The ultimate end and most profound result of influence is when a person is free from any command or power you may exert and yet still reflects the influence of your values and passions. That being said, it becomes more profound when we begin to consider the influence of Jesus. His life two thousand years ago continues to shape the  hearts and souls of millions around the world...
This is the challenge that is set before us - that we not only take INITIATIVE, that we not only move with CONFIDENCE into the reality of UNCERTAINTY, but also that we maximize our sphere of INFLUENCE as we grow in depth of character.” Chasing Daylight  pg.129

REFLECTION:
I picked up a book from our shelf this weekend that an organization called Compassion International had put together a few years back. I started paging back to front like I do with most picture books. As I saw pictures of children and communities riddled with poverty and lack beyond my comprehension, my heart became quickly overwhelmed at their living realities. I reached the beginning of the book and started reading the history of how Compassion International came to be.
“Compassion's work spans 56 years, from modest beginnings in 1952 when one man (Everett Swanson) felt compelled to help 35 orphaned children in South Korea, to today, where more than 1 million children in 24 countries benefit from that original vision.” www.Compassion.com
As I sat on my leather couch sipping hot tea in front of my crackling fireplace on a cold winters day with my family healthy and well fed from a good pancake breakfast I felt the familiar call in my heart that a time was coming that our family would be called to respond in a greater way to these kinds of needs, to take initiative in some way just like Everett Swanson did in 1952. We all have these deep stirrings in our hearts,and I wait anxiously see how they play out in all of your lives!
            Everett saw a need, took INITIATIVE, moving in CONFIDENCE into the reality of UNCERTAINTY and because of that millions of people have been INFLUENCED directly and indirectly by his life!

PRAYER:
Lord may the choices we make in the moments we are presented with today be intentional, may  we live chasing the daylight. Lord may you show us the areas you have designed us to lead the initiative. We desperately long to influence the world with your love. Amen.