Part 1: Your influence is limited by your example

Acts 20:17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia.

We are all granted only a certain amount of time here on earth. Time is a vanishing commodity. None of us have as much of it as we once did. We live in a world that is full of “time saving” suggestions and applications, but the truth is that time cannot be saved or borrowed; it can only be invested. What you spend your time doing will either result in a harvest of joy or a harvest of regrets.

The first thing that Paul called attention to in his endeavor to influence those around him was the way he intentionally lived his life. Your lifestyle is the first opportunity you have to influence others. It is not the only way. It is not a substitute for other ways, but it is the foundation for all other ways of influencing others for the cause of Christ. If our lifestyle shows no difference, the world will see no difference and experience no witness to change. Our influence is limited by our example.

1 Peter 4:3 says “For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the pagans: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. 4 Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you.” What you do and do not do speaks very loudly to those observing your life. I am convinced that everyone greatly underestimates the number of people watching their life. Your example is speaking to people beyond your awareness.

Today’s Challenge: Lasting influence begins by living intentionally every day. Don’t underestimate the reach of your life. Pray that today God will use your life to show others the way to Jesus.