Bible Verse: Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. Mark 3:13-14 (NIV)
Scripture Reading: Mark 2:15-17; Mark 10:13-16
Well, if we aren’t influencing people, who are we influencing?
People are the reason why Jesus did everything He did. Our Kingdom legacy will always be for people—no other legacy matters.
Jesus didn’t die for systems, strategies, ideologies, policies, or economies. He died for people. Influence starts and ends with relationships. How are we cultivating impactful relationships?
Let’s start again with the example of Jesus. What did He do?
Jesus invited His disciples to follow Him, and not just at a distance. He made proximity important and invited them to be with Him, seeing the everyday things He did.
I love watching The Chosen series, which gives us a small glimpse of what life with Jesus could have been like. He deeply loved people and wanted the best for them.
Jesus was focused on developing Kingdom leaders. He wasn’t just looking for brainwashed servants but Kingdom-thinking leaders who could continue with the mission He started.
He also looked to new leaders. It’s important to pay attention to the disciples Jesus invited. It wasn’t the established leaders of the day, but rather young people—unproven, but teachable.
Men, there is no path forward for influence if we don’t take time to develop leaders younger than us. The next generation must be a priority for us if we want to be men of influence.
So, who are you influencing under the age of 30? Those of us under 30, find someone under 20. Can you invest in someone younger than you this week?
The people who were close to Jesus, and those who were on the peripheral, were on equal footing with His willingness to be interruptible. I’m not sure we can be men of influence just when it’s convenient for us. In fact, I would say that we will limit our influence unless we are willing to be inconvenienced.
Be interruptible and willing to be inconvenienced. You may be surprised by how big of an impact that can have.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, give me the strength to prioritize people in my life, especially when it’s inconvenient. Bring compassion to my heart to see others how You see them, and not as an interruption. Forgive me when I have done that with others. Thank You for always making time for me! Amen.
Reflection: Who are the younger men you need to make more time for in your life? Which guys do you need to bring more into your life journey, sharing both strengths and weaknesses? Whose call have you ignored because it’s inconvenient?
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