The Influence You Don't See

Scripture:
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16

You have no idea who's watching you.

That moment when you showed patience with the frustrated customer service rep? Your kid saw that. The way you responded when someone cut you off in traffic? Your friend in the passenger seat noticed. How did you talk about your coworker who annoys you? That shaped how your spouse thinks about handling difficult people.

We tend to think influence belongs to people with platforms; pastors, influencers, leaders with titles. But influence isn't about reach. It's about impact. And you're impacting people every single day, whether you realise it or not.

Jesus used the image of light. A lamp doesn't announce itself. It doesn't try to be impressive. It just shines, and darkness gives way. Your life either illuminates the way toward God or obscures it. There's no neutral position.

I think about a woman in my church who probably doesn't think she has much influence. She's not on stage. She doesn't lead anything official. But she sits in the same spot every Sunday, and she notices newcomers. She walks over, introduces herself, and makes them feel seen. I've watched her turn anxious first-timers into regular attenders simply by being welcoming.

That's stewardship of influence.

Or my neighbour who keeps his yard immaculate and always waves when you drive by. Seems small, right? But in a street where most of us barely know each other, his friendliness creates a different culture. People are more likely to stop and chat and help each other out because he modelled it first.

You're stewarding influence right now. In your home. At your workplace. In your neighbourhood. Online. The question is whether you're using it to point people toward what's good, true, and beautiful, or whether you're wasting it on complaints, gossip, and negativity.

Every conversation is a chance to encourage or discourage. Every social media post shapes how people think. Every decision made in front of others teaches something. You're writing a story with your life, and people are reading it whether you know it or not.

What story are you telling? Is it one that makes people curious about God, or one that makes them think Christians are just like everyone else, maybe a bit more judgmental?

Reflection: Who in your life might be watching you more closely than you realise? What's one way you could steward your influence more intentionally with them?

Prayer: Jesus, help me remember that my life speaks louder than my words. Give me wisdom to use my influence well and courage to live in a way that points people to You. Amen.