Under The Influence

This phrase usually brings up thoughts of alcohol and drunkenness. I want to see if from a different perspective. Everyone on is “under the influence” of someone. People in leadership are influencers for sure, but they are also under the influence of someone or something.

I’ve always heard of wicked King Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel from the history of Israel. They were quite a pair. I am reading about some of the things these two were responsible for and I came across a couple of verses that really sums up their position before the Lord. Check this out….

²⁵ (No one else so completely sold himself to what was evil in the Lord’s sight as Ahab did under the influence of his wife Jezebel. ²⁶ His worst outrage was worshiping idols just as the Amorites had done—the people whom the Lord had driven out from the land ahead of the Israelites.) (1 Kings 21:25-26 NLT)

I want to choose carefully the people whom I’m under the influence of. I am careful of the content I consume for personal growth and entertainment. I think it’s important that people who I trust in, also trust in the Lord. This is not always easy. On a personal level, I am under the influence of my wife, who is a follower of the Lord. I am also under the influence of my pastor, staff and eldership Southern Hills. I still seek counsel from my parents and my wife’s parents. I also listen to several different podcasts because of the character as well as the content of these individuals.

Mitt Conerly, Sr – Mentor, Partner, friend who has a 32 year head start in Real Estate

Brian Buffini – Real Estate Coaching – mindset, motivation, methodology

EntreLeadership – from Ramsey Solutions – small business based on spiritual values

StoryBrand – Donald Miller – clarifying my message to others

Andy Andrews – one of my favorite authors who notices things from a different angle

Andy Stanley – excellent communicator/teacher of scripture and leadership values

Craig Groeschel – great teacher/leader/preacher at Life.church

Jon Gordon – author, speaker, good and honorable man who is so positive

I think it’s important to know who we are influenced by. This list is certainly NOT exhaustive. I could keep going for sure.  I am a combination of the people who influenced me along the road of life. There are countless teachers, friends and mentors who invested in me. The biggest Influencer in my life is Jesus. The way He loved and lived is a timeless model of incredible influence. He was definitely counter to the culture He walked this earth in and He is still counter to the culture I live in today.  I am under the influence of Him more than any other.

Pressing On!

Dwayne