Inspiration: the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions; the act of suggesting opinions
Influence: the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command; the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways
In the area of leadership I have been wondering what type of impact I could have and what the scope of that impact could be. Like many, I sometimes get distracted by the thoughts of doing something that really causes a wave of change or growth or increase. So, I’ve been considering what is the likelihood of that sort of impact.
The definitions above are provided by Webster, but I break them down to something more simple… Inspiration offers ideas that may fade over time where Influence causes change that becomes more powerful over time.
Now, from this point forward I am not claiming that what I say is absolute, but it is something that I’ve been pondering for a while in regards to this idea of inspiration vs. influence. When I have life or leadership questions I try to look at the life of Jesus and his relationships for guidance. In doing that on this issue I have what follows bouncing around in my head.
Think about how Jesus related to the twelve disciples. Jesus led them all but made an extra effort to pour more time into three of them (Peter, James & John). Now I don’t know the full stories of all twelve, but how much do we know about the nine others? We know that one denied him completely (Judas) and we don’t see much in the New Testament about the others.
Also, think about how many people Jesus spoke to during his earthly ministry. He preached to tens of thousands of people and did things in front of them that no one ever had done… yet when he ascended back into heaven only 120 people were there. (based on my definitions) Jesus inspired many but had real influence over just a few.
Here is where these questions and thoughts leave me. I can inspire many, at times, depending on the situation. It is possible for me to connect in some general way (through the various social networks) with thousands of people and say or write something that makes them consider my ideas. The likelihood, however, that it will have any lasting impact (real influence) is low.
Ok, Shane…. whatev… what’s the point?
Here is what the point is for me… I need to think about how I spend my time and what the motivation of my efforts are. Do I want to spend my time and energy to inspire many or do I want to spend my time and energy to influence a few?
Inspiration is like a nice breeze on a hot day that feels good for a minute then is forgotten the next time the sun hits your face. Influence is like a hurricane whose impact is talked about for generations.
Inspiration is a good sermon that we love while hearing it and then forget by the time we reach the parking lot. Influence is the one thing somebody said to us years ago that we cannot forget.
Inspiration’s greatest achievement is name recognition for a season and then nothing. Influence’s greatest achievement is a legacy that builds in strength over the generations to come.
I have no doubt that this line of thinking is flawed in some way… but… it really causes me to think about how I spend my time… to inspire (for now) or to influence (forever)…
Just a thought…
10 dash 4
Excellent article!!!!!
Thanks for sharing!!! Something to ponder and keep in front of my daily walk
Shane,
Thanks for sharing. It’s very pertinent to my current situation. I’m running a fledgeling parenting ministry, and was thinking this morning that I need take the time and pour out my vision for this ministry to those who are attending but aren’t really committed to helping so I can inspire them to jump on board..
The challenge for me is that I want to build community, and I know that takes time. I need to continue to listen to the Lord and be patient (something that is hard for me).
Again, thanks for sharing!
Jay Kimble
Great challenge for us leaders to choose influence over the temporal flash of inspiration. Thx
It’s interesting how you break them down. When I think of a person influence in my life it actually goes back to a moment they INSPIRED me to do something. So, it’s a very insteresting take.
Great post, Shane. When I really started studying Jesus as our ultimate leadership model, it didn’t take long to learn that Jesus wasn’t “fair” with his time (according to today’s standards). He spent alot of time with the Father, spent time to himself to rest, and focused on a few in his inner circle, those who would further his ministry for the generations to come. He poured into his replacements.
We have a saying around our church for our leaders: train yourself out of a job. Obviously great leaders won’t be “out of a job” but one of our primary goals should be developing other leaders and let them go with it. That requires influence. And ministry will only grow when you do.
I think that inspiration is the prelude to influence. It is up to the individual person who receives the inspiration to put into action what they hear and see in order for it to become influence.
Take Perry’s sermons for example. He inspires us through his sermons to let go of the bitterness, pain and suffering in order to break down the wall between us and Jesus. He inspires us to give our life to Jesus, get baptized, give tithes, and volunteer. When He uses everyday examples to get his point across it clicks with some and they start putting it into action. It requires action from them in order for it to become influence. Perry does not have a personal relationship with those that it changes. So in essence he is not setting aside time with them in order to influence them, but yet look at how many people it has changed. Yes, our numbers are low who volunteer and tithe compared to the amount of people in attendance, but for me, it has changed my life without having direct contact with Perry.
I am in a leadership role and I have also seen the ones that I have poured into on a personal level and how much their lives have changed. I do believe the more you pour into someone on a personal level the more impact you have on their life, but it can be achieved also through general inspiration as well. It just depends on the individual and what they choose to do.
I’ve had these same thoughts and pondered them only to conclude that I will never know the answer. I just keep asking God to use me as His vessel and continue to reach out to everyone as much as I can and let Christ shine through.
Thank you so much for sharing these thoughts Shane! You do an awesome job for His Kingdom!!!!
Just read all your recent blogs. You write so very well! You always give good food for thought! You bless me so much and you are so blessed with such wonderful gifts!
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