How do you use the fearful gift of influence? At its best, it teaches, nurtures, encourages, exhorts, evangelizes, and disciples. At worst, it cripples and kills. The line between influence and manipulation is extremely fine. Influence is so easy to use, it's frightening. Maybe it's the reason God exhorts us to "gentle and quiet" spirits. We need to think before we speak and act.
God has really gotten a hold of me this week through two Bible studies that I am doing. The question posed by Beth Moore in Living Beyond Yourself above--"How do you use the fearful gift of influence?" brought some reflection in my heart.
Beth points out that women have been given a "most wonderful and terrible" gift--the power of influence. This is so true--all the way back to Eve! As wives and mothers, we have a special sphere of influence with our family. Our words and actions often dictate the tone of our home. We can choose to use our influence to build up and point to Christ or to manipulate for selfish gain. There is a very deceptive and thin line distinguishing the two.
I have felt especially convicted this week to recommit myself to a "gentle and quiet" spirit--to think carefully and purposefully about using my influence to make our home a place where Christ is reflected and glorified.
Be encouraged, my bloggy friends, in your high calling to influence your home for the Kingdom. Amidst dirty diapers, piles of laundry, and grey hairs is a precious sphere of influence that belongs to you alone.
11 comments:
Great post and plenty of food for thought. I have never read any of Beth Moore, but I hear so much about her bible studies, I must do one, and this sounds like a good one to begin with! Thanks. Love your blog design by the way, very "calming".
Sounds like a great study. I agree. We are the "heart" of the home and a gentle & quiet spirit is reflected.
Thank you.
You are so right. In the middle of so much that seems so trivial...laundry and lunches and backpacks and in the earlier stage of diapers and juice cups...it is easy to forget our holy calling to influence. Wherever God has placed me, I am there to be an influence for His kingdom. Thanks for the reminder that He has called me to this place and this sphere of influence belongs to "me alone."
Good stuff.
What a great reminder! Thanks!!
Amen and Amen...
Thank you, Kelly! I'm right there with you desiring to cultivate that "gentle and quiet" spirit.
I enjoyed this particular BM study very much.
Kelly,
Great post! I would like to quote this in our Tuesday morning Ladies Bible Study. We are looking at
the biblical understanding of our role as a woman.
The fine line between influence and manipulation especially in our homes, I will be thinking alot about this today.
Hi Kelly,
I think this is my first time visiting your blog. I enjoyed today's post. Boy, Beth is so right. We do have a huge responsibility with our sphere of influence. Thanks for reminding me!
I am asking God to cultivate in me a gentle and quiet spirit,too.
I so needed this reminder. Sometimes the everyday trivials and trials try to get in the way. But I so want to be able to as Kim said "cultivate" a gentle and quiet spirit.
I think I used to be acutely aware of this, as a teacher, and when I first started at my present job. I don't think I've been as aware as a wife, or even on my job lately. Thanks for the timely remindsr.
I have taken many of Beth Moore's bible studies, in fact I am doing Daniel right now. But I have to say Living Beyond Yourself, had such an impact on my life. It was a life changing bible study for me.
Blessings.
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