Spheres of Influence

Matthew 5:13a, 14a, 16,  "You are the salt of the earth.....You are the light of the world.....Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Philippians 2:14-16a,  "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe, as you hold out the word of life....."

      If we are to be salt and light in the world, to hold out the word of life to others, we need to spend time with other people.  The more people we rub shoulders against, the greater our influence can be.

      Each person has four major areas of influence--where we live, where we work, where we play, and where we worship.  Many Christians have deliberately set about to expand their influence in one or more of these areas by reaching out to meet more people.

      Two couples I know on staff with Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for

Christ) have moved often, and each time they move they invite their neighbors over to get acquainted.  This has resulted in some neighborhood Bible studies.

      Hospitality is a great way to get to know other people.  We can invite them for coffee, breakfast, brunch, lunch, tea, cokes, dinner, or a picnic supper.  We don't even have to cook.  There are numerous places for us to "gather" our food.  In a seminar on Hospitality, the leader said you don't even have to clean your whole house.  Her suggestion was to clear a path from the front door to a place to sit, a place to eat, and a bathroom and then close all the other doors!

      One friend of mine sold Tupperware in order to meet new people. 

Another friend expanded her influence in her church by helping some of the young women set up church sponsored small group Bible studies.  One of my daughters teaches Bible studies for teen age girls in her home, and her husband cooks breakfast for them

      A minister in Colorado has been very deliberate in setting up situations where church members can mingle with people in the community.  His church sponsors a restaurant where church members cook and serve.  The church has a driving school where church members get to know and interact with teenagers as they teach them how to drive.  The possibilities for ways to interact are almost limitless.

      If you have a desire to be salt and light and hold out the word of life to people who so desperately need it in this dark, depraved world, you might want to ask God to show you where you could expand one or more of the areas of your influence for that purpose.  It is a prayer that He delights to answer!

Father, show us creative ways to expand our influence for You.  May we be salt and light in this old world and shine like stars because we walk with You.  Amen.