The World’s Most Influential People
One morning I was reading Time Magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. Of course this list contained what I would call “the usual suspects”: Oprah, Hillary, Barack, Leonardo, etc. However, I was struck by a number of other things such as:
- Osama bin Laden still being on the list after all these years
- The number of people of whose names I’ve never heard
- That President George W. Bush was left off of the list while Raul Castro (Fidel’s brother) was included
- The inclusion of only two leaders in the Christian faith: Pope Benedict XVI and Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria
In his book, Discovering the Leader Within You, Dr. John Maxwell defines leadership very simply: Leadership is Influence, nothing more, nothing less. If this is the case, then these 100 individuals are not simply world influencers, they’re also world leaders. And whether or not I agree with Time’s list, one thing is certain: These are very important people whom I need to be aware of because they in some measure influence the world in which I live.
As we ponder the reasons these individuals made Time’s list, I ask:
- Are you a person of influence?
- What kind of influence are you for God and His Kingdom?
- And finally, who are the people who have influenced your life (for better or worse)?
The Bible says, “As iron sharpens iron, so people can improve each other” (Proverbs 27:17, CEV). More than likely, we will never make Time’s list. However, we all can make up our minds to accomplish something this year that will improve the lives of others for good. As usual, I invite your thoughts.
sending...
Hi, Bishop,
You have been a huge influence on my life — much more than anyone else, because you led me to Christ and into our loving community at PT where we learn to be who God made us to be.
Other big influences on my life have been…
* Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, for his courage in facing injustice and drawing on his Christian faith to boldly move in leadership in challenging the racist institutional structures of this country
* In a much quieter way, Mr. Fred Rogers, host of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood –for promoting a culture of paying attention to children’s emotional needs, and meeting them. One of my favorite quotes from him: “We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say, ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.”
*Margaret Mead gets a lifetime achievement award in my book, just for saying…”Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
*Frederick Douglas has influenced me greatly by what he had to say about the limits of tyrants: “If there is no struggle, there is no progress…Find out just what people will submit to and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them …the limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.
*Helen Keller, for writing “Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”
That last quote helped me with courage in my pre-saved days. It’s helpful now, too — though now my courage is emboldened by my faith in God and my conviction that he is walking with me.
*Mother Theresa — for her Matthew 25 work, loving manner, and extraordinary strength rooted in her faith and spiritual discipline. I would like to learn more about her life and work.
Loretta
Hey Bishop,
I love the site, and the practical, “real-world” way in which you discuss various issues and relate them to the bible and the Christian faith. I attended your church last year while attending Harvard’s ed school. I’m not sure if you remember me, but I am cameron patterson’s friend.
Anyway, with regards to influence, this is something i’ve been struggling with because it appears to have two aspects. On one end, it’s true that we as Christians are called to be people of influence-in a way that improves people’s lives and lead them to Christ. On the other end, it seems like during times when people of the faith may “fall” or make a mistake, those who we influence often interpret these shortcomings as indicative of the illegitamacy of our God, and thus leave the church and fall out of a relationship with God. As people who are called to be people of influence, but who are also know that we are human and survive purely by the grace of God, how do we navigate these opposing impacts of influence? Just something that’s been on my mind. I pray all is well with the you, your family, and the PT family.
In Christ,
Justin
info@speeklife.com
http://www.speeklife.com