It is commonly said that if you lead, others will follow. If you lead, and no one follows, you are just out for a walk. The same can be said of an “influencer.” A true influencer changes things. Many self labeled influencers are just people putting on a show because little or nothing changes. Working to be seen is not the same as being an influence.

Life imitation becomes life style after it becomes ingrained in behavior. That is why parents have always warned their children to choose the right friends, choose the right influence. There is tremendous power in the associations you have or choose. There is tremendous power in the community which surrounds you. We are more heavily influenced by our culture, our country, and the general beliefs of our world than we imagine. We are being bombarded every day from every angle. You can see this power in history because the historical people were confined to their knowledge base and circumstances during the time of their lives.

So many people tend to build associations by convenience instead of by intent. A person’s faith life should be an exception, even if all other associations and influences are through circumstances or through associations that weren’t chosen, and even if influences are convenience based instead of intentional. Food for the soul is far more important than food for the body.

Be careful with yourself. You are far more important than you may consider. Life is far more than the things we see around us. It is important to consider questions like where does love come from because it is more than a feeling. Love requires someone to humble themselves to care for another. Humility is not a natural human trait because we are self based creatures. Where did it come from? Where did selflessness come from? Where did the other values like honor, justice, faithfulness and the like come from? To truly exhibit those values, one has to give up themselves, contrary to the human nature.

There is a God in heaven whose nature is based on the best of all values humans desire above all others and are unable to achieve completely on their own. Our desire and His nature is proof of His existence. Even atheists believe in and desire the high qualities which are beyond human nature to produce. God’s interventions have introduced and given examples of the high values through history.

Jesus was an example of value beyond measure. He, as God, came and served man, selfless. He lived in the limitations of a man to show His understanding and compassion. He died to give the people killing Him, and all others, a chance to realize God. He rose from the dead to prove His divinity and validate the very opportunity He taught and gave us. Jesus should be our first influencer above all others.