Influences

Whether we have role models or not, we are all influenced by something or... more than that, someone. It could be your parent, or your favorite singer, historical person, or missionary. It doesn't even have to be a real person. Instead, it could be an character in a book or a movie. We're all influenced by something or someone. Of course, our main inspiration should be Jesus, above all else. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't have other inspirations.

Our country has a few bad influences. Number one is the culture. Unfortunately what is one of the most influential things in the word is one of the most twisted things in the world. We, as young adults, can't help but be sucked into it. Not everything is bad, but a lot of it is. If we don't have enough godly influences in our life, we can get deceived.

Sometimes I can get caught up in my influences and forget the fact that I should focus on being an influence. Okay, I know you might think that you don't influence anyone, but the truth is that we don't realize what influence we have on other people.

I'm the oldest child. You might think that obviously puts me in a influential position. Sure, it does, but my sister influences me a lot. We might be family, but it shows that just because you're young doesn't mean that you don't influence people.

If you're an only child, think of your friends. Friends can influence each other too. My best friend influences me to be confident. The truth is that many of us don't realize what kind of affect we have on people. Whether is our friends or family, we are affective.

You might wish that people wouldn't see you as a inspiration. No one is perfect. We can't help but always find some sort of flaw in ourselves, whether if it's pride or too big of a smile.

Now this might sound unfair, but it's not your choice whether you are influential or not. Seriously, it's not. We are free to choice our own inspirations, even if our inspiration doesn't want to influence us.

Here is your choice: how you influence. You might not be able to decide if you are an influence, but you definitely can choose how you do. That is completely up to you. You can choose to be an influence for good reasons or bad. You can choose to influence people rightly or wrongly. It's all up to you. You can send encouraging messages to people or you can bring people down. Just remember,  there are people who watch you.

So I ask you: What kind of message will you send today?

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3: 12-14