Popular actor Steve Carell was positively impacted by experience when he was in 2nd grade. He was part of a school play about the Pilgrims and Indians. It was all mime and he was an Indian rowing a canoe. During practice he switched the oar to the other side of the boat and continued rowing. The teacher, Mr. Blackman, pointed it out and said to the class, “You see what Steve did? He rowed on both sides of the canoe so he wouldn’t go in a circle.” Carell points to those words of affirmation from his 2nd grade teacher as having a major influence on his life. He recently said, “Having that recognition so early, something clicked in my brain.” He explained how it set him on the path to his career as an actor.
Words are powerful! Their power can be used for good or bad. Therefore choosing to listen to the right voices is important. That choice influences the person we become and the quality of our life.
At yesterday’s quarterly business luncheon I had the privilege of speaking to about 200 people from our community about influence and people who influence us. I also spoke about the influence we have on others – even when we don’t know we’re influencing them.
I mentioned that there are three ways people can influence us. Those same three ways are also how we can influence others. What are those three ways:
- Words
- Example
- Intentional Mentoring
In I Corinthians 11:1 the apostle Paul writes: “Be imitators of me, just as I am of Christ.” Some translations read “Follow my example.” A Biblical principle is that we need to choose wisely who we learn from and allow to influence us. We also need be wise and intentional when it comes to the influence we have on others.
Since we are always looking at others, and therefore being influenced by them, looking at the right people matters.
Since others are always looking at us, and therefore being influenced by us, being the right kind of person matters.
Choose your words wisely. Set a good example for others to follow. Identify great people and learn from them. Become a great person and help others to also become great. Be a person of good and godly influence.
Pastor Steve Hogg
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