100 Most Influential People

Time magazine came out with their "World's 100 Most Influential People" issue this week. I have not read about every person they list yet, but I have looked thru it to see who the 100 people are. I was glad to see Rick Warren listed, and John Stott also. There were LOTS of people I had never heard of, so let me confess my ignorance up front. Many of these people had not made it into my circle of influence. I'm not stating that as a good or bad thing, just fact. I did recognize some of the people that they listed, and I am glad to say that I don't feel influenced by most of those folks. I won't say who. Or am I just naive and have been much more influenced by them than I want to admit?

One effect this article DID have on me was to cause me to think about WHO IS influencing me. Who are the people that impact my life the most? I thought about making a list here on my blog, but then I thought better of it, knowing that I might hurt someone's feelings by not mentioning them. I will say this.......while reflecting on who influences me the most, I realized that the list I make today is a better list than I would have made 20 years ago. "Better" meaning I have more people today that influence me spiritually than I did 20 years ago. I hope 20 years from now I can say the same thing again. As for who is in the #1 spot, I confess that I know who is supposed to be there at the top, but I am not sure I allow Him to occupy it all the time. I want to. I hope a year from now when this issue comes out again, I can honestly tell you that HE has been the most influential person or being in my life this past year! If not Him, then who is in that slot you may ask? Undoubtedly family, then friends next. But where are Paul, Isaiah, David, Zacchaeus, the Centurion man and the sinful woman both in Luke 7, Blind Bartimaeus and John the Baptist? Probably not as high on the list as they should be. I hope they would be in my top 100. Sad huh?

So, I guess I just want to encourage you to take a few minutes and ask yourself who are the MOST influential people in your life? Businesses take inventory from time to time, and maybe we need to also. At least I know I do.