Breaking away from the influence…
Who knows your full story better than the one who is writing it? The world and people in it may add labels, hashtags, and boundaries to anything and everything, including you, but God. Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say I am?” When Simon Peter replied, he identified Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus blessed him and told Simon Peter who he was. When I stopped listening to the outside voices and recognized who God is and what He has done, He revealed to me who I am, and I believe it’ll be an ongoing thing.
I’ve learned to know the creator who created us and pours into us so that we can fulfill the purpose He has set out for us. God gives us authority and power through the blood of Jesus Christ. Don’t shrink to the labels of hashtags and boundaries the world tries to place on you. You were made for a much bigger purpose.
(Proverbs 4:23 NKJV) “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Diligence means being careful and paying close attention. Pay close attention to who and what wants your heart. Pay close attention to what and where your heart is drawn.
When we guard our hearts, do we acknowledge those who influence us? Who are the people who influence us? What are their core beliefs, and what do they value most? While leadership is important, it is also important to have a personal relationship with God and know Him for ourselves through His Word. Don’t be so influenced by the lifestyle of others that you forget who God has called you to be.
One of the Ten Commandments tells us not to covet our neighbor. There is a fine line between covet and being influenced. God wants us to be content with what He has for us. The enemy has pushed being an influencer, willing to do anything for viewers, followers, and money, to the agenda for us to fall away from the purpose God has set for us individually. The biggest mission is to use our gifts to glorify God and evangelize. We are all built up differently, so we won’t all do it the same way.
Our biggest mistake could be allowing the influence and lifestyle that others portray online to convince us to alter who God has called us to be. Build your relationship with God and learn who He is and how He loves, so that He can show you how to love and what your mission(s) may be. Hide the word of God in your heart so that you are not easily persuaded to listen to the voice of someone who did not create you and doesn’t know where you are going.
Matthew 16:13-18
Genesis 1:27
Proverbs 4:20-23
Matthew 25:14-30
Hebrews 13:5