We’ve accessed the flow, the flu, the flavor and the flame, and now I hope you’ll grab your goggles and join me in the flood. I’m talking about a full-on deluge of living water flowing from our Christ-committed hearts into the dehydrated hearts around us; an intentional invitation for the thirsty to dive in, to drink of this water and to receive eternal life.

It’s the reason we’re here.

We are able to be salt and light because of the living water. Our good works and good example might do the world some good, but it’s the water He gives that brings them life. Intentional influence involves intentional evangelism and an intentional desire to see people come to Christ. There really is no more powerful influence—let that truth flood your heart and let’s go flood the world. 

“But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14 (NKJV)

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If you haven’t had enough fun passing the salt and sneezing on people, wait until you start setting them on fire!  We’ve gotten our influence flowing powerfully through the flu and the flavor, now we’re livening things up by igniting the flame.

This is so exciting. THE Light of the world has called us the light of the world (John 8:12, Matthew 5:14-15) and given us the privilege of representing Him on the earth. He’s given us the light of life and has set us apart to be radiant lights, oil lamps that light up the whole house, candles too bright to be hidden, a city glowing for His glory.

There is nothing quite like living so vibrantly for Jesus, that people take notice and find themselves drawn to the flame. Do you know someone whose candle could use a light? Let you’re fiery influence strike the match.

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I am not a fan of bland food. If you want me to enjoy the meal, you’ll have to throw in some spices and seasonings, but if there’s nothing else in the pantry, good old fashioned salt will work just fine.

In fact, I prefer salt. It provides just enough flavor to please my palate. Expect to pass the salt if you’d like to take me to dinner, but don’t worry about my blood pressure—it’s just fine.

What can I say, I gotta have it, and there are people all around us who have to have it too. Without it, they’re left with bitter, bland, flavorless living, longing to be infused with real seasoning. Our influence is the additive they need. We are the salt sent to flavor and preserve their lives.

So, what are you bringing to the table?  Is your influence Jesus-infused and flavorful or something others could do without? Someone around you desperately needs you to pass the salt, so live in a way that gives them a taste of real life.

"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.” Matthew 5:13 (The Message)

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Okay class, let’s finish up our lesson on etymology (and if you’re still saying “etym-what?”  it just means the derivation or history of a word). I promise that if you can endure a little more of this boring talk of definitions and derivations, the fun is coming! For now, just pretend you’re in high school again, but don’t worry, I won’t be testing you on any of it.

Yesterday, we learned that our word for the week comes from the Latin word influentem. It  is also derived from the Medieval Latin word, influentia (a flowing in), and if that seems a little familiar, it might be because influenza (the flu) is derived from it as well. Call me a nerd, but that is awfully fascinating to me. It has me thinking about the similarities between spreading influence and spreading the flu, and reflecting on who I’ve allowed to sneeze on me and what their influence has infected me with.

I’ve been sneezed on by a mom who kept me in church as a child; sneezed on by pastors and teachers who were willing to disciple me; sneezed on by mentors, counselors and great friends with godly wisdom; and unfortunately, sneezed on by way too many bad influences who I now wish had been wearing those surgical masks.

What about you? I hope these first two days have lead you into serious thought about how you’re influencing and being influenced. If were intentional about both we’ll see a change in our quality of life and ultimately, our impact on the world. I hope what we began to see in HD yesterday is now popping out in an in-your-face-3D today. There’s more to come on how we can really begin to live this out. Until tomorrow, achoo…

Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God. 3 John 1:11 NLT

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I’m fascinated by words. I suppose it started in high school when a very special teacher offered me a grueling introduction to etymology, and showed me that there’s much more to most words than what we see at first glance.

Take the word “influence,” for instance. It’s dictionary definition is pretty straight forward:

influence [in-floo-uhns] n. 1. the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others.

Phrases like “power,” “compelling force” and “produce effects” paint a pretty clear picture, but when we dig a little deeper, and find that “influence” is derived from the Latin word, influentem, which means “to flow into,” it’s like viewing the picture in HD*. (*This could mean High Definition or His Discernment, you decide.)

So, I have to ask, whose powerful, compelling force are you allowing to flow into you, and what effects is it producing? And, because I’m pretty nosy, I’m also wondering who you’re flowing into and what effects you’re producing in them.

You see, we spend our life time in a cycle of influencing and being influenced. Our choices are often the result of someone else’s influence and those same choices inevitably influence others. This cycle is way too often unintentional—we don’t think much about being influenced and we aren’t deliberate enough in our influence of others. This week, we’ll abandon this lazy passive approach and become intentional in our influence as followers of Christ. I hope you’ll face the task with eyes wide-open. Let’s make sure that what’s flowing into us is worth passing on.

Check back in tomorrow to be infected with the Influence Flu…

“Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established.” Proverbs 4:24, 25

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