Sometimes the most powerful words are a whisper. You don’t have to yell and scream to influence people. It’s not the volume of what you say. It’s the impact of what you say that makes a difference.
Take for instance the whisper in the ear of President George Bush by Chief of Staff Andy Card. He was telling him of the attacks in New York City. It was only 2 seconds, but it changed the course of his life and that of our country.
We all want to be an influence on others. We want people to listen to us, especially in matters of importance. I can think of nothing more sorrowful than the story of Lot when he was to rescue his children from the destruction of Sodom, and they would not listen to him.
Jesus had a powerful life by adhering to 3 principles. We find these in Mark’s Gospel.
And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. (Mark 1:36-39)
We can have a powerful life by adhering to the same 3 principles. What are those 3 principles?
1. Powerful Prayer
Peter was looking for Jesus. What was He doing when they found Him? He was praying.
Jesus was seeking God’s plan, trusting God’s power, and desiring God’s presence. The secret of Jesus power was His secret place of prayer.
March Madness is on us. If you’ve ever watched a basketball game, you’ll notice that sometimes a coach will sit out one of his bigs near the end of the game. He does this to give him a breather, so he can play 100% at the end of the game. It’s the same way in life. Sometimes we think we have to work harder, but in reality, sometimes we need to take a time out to regain our strength.
Some may ask, “I don’t have time to pray.’ But I would say to you, ‘You don’t have time not to pray.’
2. Powerful Priorities
Luke, in his account of the same event (Luke 4:42), implies that the people wanted to keep Jesus in their city. Who would not want to keep Jesus present if He could satisfy all physical ills? Jesus had a successful ministry and could have stayed indefinitely. But He had a priority to go to new towns and preach the Gospel. He made the difficult decision to leave the comfort to go to the unknown.
Security is always a temptation that stands off against risk. Yet, in the purpose of God, the movement is always forward through open doors and wider horizons.
Christians who have stopped going and growing are the most miserable of creatures. They clog up churches with undue caution and infect he Body of Christ with their own frustration. They are inventors of paralysis by analysis and the creators of strangulation by regulation.
Jesus chooses risk over security. If Christians followed Jesus in taking their witness to the next person, the next neighborhood, the next town, and the next nation, the Great Commission would soon be fulfilled. Live your priorities.
3. Powerful Preaching
As Jesus went He preached and healed. But His primary emphasis was on preaching the good news. Nothing has the power that the Gospel has to change lives.
Years ago there was a Protestant reformer in England by the name of Hugh Latimer. He was known as a great preacher of his day and he had many opportunities to preach. One of his opportunities was to preach before the King Henry VIII of England. As he thought about this, someone said, ‘Remember you are preaching before King Henry VIII who, if he wills, can take away your life.’ But his answer was, ‘Remember I am preaching before the King of Kings, I will not displease him.’
If we are going to have an eternal influence on people, we need to tell them about Jesus. All our good works before them need to have a word to point them to Jesus. Speak up for Christ.
If you think you are too insignificant to make a spiritual impact on someone remember this old African proverb – If you think you are too small to make a difference, try spending the night in a closed room with a mosquito.