B E H I N D / T H E / B A R

The next key to influence is a big one.  Lets jump right in to see what the “c” of influence says to us:

Confident

My Mother-in-law is a marketer’s best friend.  She has more “As Seen On TV” gadgets in her house, than I see in the “As Seen On TV” aisle in Wal-mart.  Thing is, if she gets a gadget, or tries a restaurant, or finds a new recipe, and falls in love with it, she will become a self proclaimed spokesperson for that new thing.  Just last week, she discovered a new bread and said, “Shannon, you have to try this new bread!  It is delicious, you’ll love it.”  She’s right.  I did.  If I had the opportunity to eat that particular bread again I would, because she influenced me with her confidence in single piece of bread.

A Christ follower has access to some of the best news and some of the most dynamic power in the world.  Far too often we are intimidated to share what we have with the world.  We don’t want to be overbearing, obnoxious.  Whether its fear of being shut down, ostracized, or labeled “holier than thou,” or we just don’t know what to say to tell others about our relationship with Jesus, we clam up when we should be speaking up.  This is what we’ve been called to do.  Tell the World Jesus Loves Them.  We have to be confident that what we have with Jesus, is worth others having, otherwise we will never influence their lives for the Kingdom.

disclaimer – there is a difference between confidence and arrogance.  If you want people to experience what you’ve experienced with Jesus, but come across as unapproachable, better than, or disengaged from others, you will definitely influence others, but in a way that will cause them to want anything other than what you have. – end of disclaimer.

Has Jesus Christ changed your life?  Has the relationship you have with Him so transformed your life that you wish others could experience what you have experienced?  Are you confident enough in your relationship with Jesus, that you would, if you could, tell anybody you could why they need this kind of relationship? Guess what you can.  And if you’re waiting for someone to give you permission to speak up, then I’ll be that guy who says, “You Have Permission.”

Unlike most of the As Seen On TV claims to sell you a product that will change your life, we have something that will undoubtedly prove to change the lives of others for eternity.  Why would we hold a cure for a terminal illness to ourself and not share it with people who needed it?  Don’t be intimidated.  Don’t be fearful.  Confidently tell others what God has done and is doing in your life.  I am confident you will be an influence.

Ready. Set. Go.