Prayer
Jesus: help me to turn more of my life over to you. Use my life to influence others for You and the Kingdom.
One Woman in the Bible Who Influenced Others…
8 One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. 9 She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”
The verb שאן (sha’an) literally means to be undisturbed. In practice it denotes being comfy, relaxed and at ease. Adjective שאנן (sha’anan), means unmoved in the sense of being perpetual, inattentive or complacent.
Oh, in this world of plagues, wars, and rumors of wars, to be Shunem in spirit where we would be comfy and relaxed.
Hospitality is certainly a gift, and this is a story of a woman, who not only opened her home for a frequent visitor, but open her home to a Man of God, whom himself was very influential. Was she nervous? Was her home always spotless? Was she spiritual on-top of things when He came by or wrestling with something? Was her house good enough? Was it clean?
Such was the hospitality of the unnamed woman who lived in Shunem. Her respect for Elisha led her to take him and feed him, and he just showed up at her door unannounced. Elisha did not want to be an imposition, but she soon convinced him that her genuine generosity was the Lord’s provision for him. As time passed, she worked with her husband to build or furnish a small guest room for their weary traveler to rest and enjoy some privacy. Women of influence seek ways to serve.
I am so grateful for so many women who use their influence for God’s best. Some are women of prayer, who approach heaven with holy boldness on behalf of their family, friends and those who have yet to believe in Jesus Christ. These praying women ask their generous heavenly Father for physical wholeness, emotional healing and spiritual restoration. Other women of influence have a work platform to promote diligence, equality, respect, collaboration and excellent work. How fitting for a woman to open her home in love, as if she is hosting the Lord Jesus Himself.
How do you use your influence for the Lord? You may not realize the extent in which others respect you, listen to you and learn from you. Mostly, those in your circle of influence are impacted by your behavior. Your smile, kind word and generosity are gifts that keep giving. Good actions are infectious. Influence grows with time and extends to the people you may never meet until you arrive in heaven. Your home full of love may be the best way to influence others.
Most of all grow in God’s influence over your life. How do you know Jesus is your greatest influence? The more you credit Christ with your life and work, you are being influenced by His glory. The more you emulate Jesus in your compassion, care and concern for others, you are being influenced by His love. The more time spent being still, listening to God’s heart, you are being influenced by ideas bigger than you. The more you learn Scripture and apply it to your life, the more you are being influenced by Christ’s life. Be influenced by God to influence for God!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, grow your influence over my life so I can be a creditable influence for you, in Jesus’ name, amen.