Yes, and after reading this article, my hope is that you will have confidence knowing you are doing some great work with God in your community.
You may live in an urban area, with the ease of drive-through eateries and the pick of grocery markets within a short walk or quick drive. You may live in a rural area, that is the quiet backdrop to all the hustle and bustle. My family lives in a place in between the two, we have neighbors but it takes a quarter of an hour or more to run errands, besides our local Dollar General.
Every time you drive, shop, or otherwise come in contact with your neighbors, you are influencing them. I looked up influence, (don’t fall asleep on me yet!) in the trustworthy Webster’s Dictionary from 1828; the online version.
Webster explains we can identify influence by its effects. Influence is completely unseen, a power, like a superpower, brings a person to respond for good or bad.
A driver who becomes angry on the road can influence another driver to an angry response. This is defined as road rage. What happens when a driver practices the opposite behavior on the road, giving way when it is legal and safe? There is an influence that the other driver will know and anyone who witnessed the courtesy given.
You can dismiss the example as not sweeping enough to bring a big change to your City, but how do you know? We have all heard stories of how a simple kindness turned someone’s day around.
In fact, what you do may be a great benefit to you but it also influences others.
A fellow writer and friend of mine writes for a foundation that is holding a 5k in October. The run is not located in my state and I will not be attending the actual 5k, but, I signed up and am training because I believe in the foundation. I will run a few laps in my somewhat rural neighborhood, waving at the deer and squirrels as I jog to the lake and back.
Why am I doing this? I want to help the foundation. The organization’s goal is to help the families of First Responders who are in need. Is my thirty-dollar entry fee going to change one life significantly? Not at all. But if the power of influence is true, it will encourage the foundation, my friend, and myself.
You see, the world has done its darndest to make you overwhelmed with every single tragedy that occurs as it is occurring across the globe. Of course, you care. But not one of us can take it all in, and that is not our job. It is God’s job. Ours is to do our part, where we are when we can.
What does the 5k give me?
Health goals I can reach.
Something to look forward to.
Feeling good that I am helping First Responders.
An example to my children.
Most of the time, only God and the person will know the influence you have on another soul. In your City, I bet there are testimonies on how you have impacted someone for a good effect.
Continue to use this unseen power wisely.
Christ sacrificed himself so you can have eternity with his father. Does it make sense that as God calls you to pray for and do good for others in your City, there will be a benefit for you and your family? I sure do believe this to be true. Scripture tells us that very fact.
Would you take a moment to pop onto the Trooper Black Foundation to learn about Trooper Black?
Keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,
Michele Marie Weisman
Thought provoking examples. Truly makes on think.
Yay. Thank you, Dianne, that makes me happy to read.
Keep reminding us. Or me. I get so wrapped up in my world that I sometimes forget about the rest of the world. I’m glad you figured out ‘on’ was meant to be ‘one’!
😉 Yes, typos are so easy to do in a comment. Had to fix that for you. : ) Have a blessed weekend!