The Etymology of Influence
From the Series—Influence: The Power of One
February 18, 2002Can one person change a city? If you don’t think so, keep reading.
Art Buchwald was riding in a New York City taxi with a friend. Before getting out, Art’s friend said to the Cabbie, “Thanks for the ride. You did a superb job of driving.” The cabbie was stunned for a second. Then he said, “Are you a wise guy or something?” Art’s friend said, “No. I really admire the way you keep your cool in traffic.” The cabbie smiled and said, “Thanks.”
When they got out, Art said, “What was that all about?” His friend said, “I’m trying to bring love back to New York. I believe it’s the only thing that can save the city.” Art said, “How can one man bring love back to New York?” Art’s friend explained. He said, “I just made that taxi driver’s day. Suppose he has 20 fares. He’s going to be nice to those 20 fares because someone was nice to him. Those fares in turn will be kinder to their employees or shopkeepers or waiters or even their own families. Eventually the goodwill could spread to at least 1,000 people. Now that isn’t bad is it?” Art objected. He said, “But you’re depending on that taxi driver to pass your goodwill on to others.” His friend said, “The system isn’t foolproof. I might deal with ten different people today. If out of ten I can make three happy, then eventually I can indirectly influence the attitudes of 3,000 more.”
As they walked and talked, Art said, “You just winked at a very plain-looking woman.” His friend said, “And if she’s a school teacher her class will be in for a fantastic day.”
Influence is a mindset. If you don’t think you can make a difference, you won’t try. Sometimes we’re paralyzed because we’re overwhelmed by what we cannot do instead of doing what we can. What you need to realize is that influence is exponential. When you influence someone, you impact their entire circle of influence. You have second-hand influence.
The Etymology of Influence
At the outset of this series, Influence: The Power of One, it’s important to understand the etymology of influence.
Influence (n) the exercise of spiritual force
Influence is, by definition, a spiritual thing. Your ability to influence is determined by your willingness and openness to be filled and led by the Spirit of God. Luke 4:14 says that Jesus returned to Galilee “in the power of the Spirit.” You cannot influence people the way Jesus influenced people on a human plane. There is a spiritual dimension that includes things like prayer and discernment and prophecy and healing and words of knowledge and words of wisdom-the gifts of the Spirit in action.
Circle of Influence: your unique network of relational and occupational connections.
It’s who you know and what you do. God is in the business of strategically positioning us in the right place at the right time. He uses us relationally and occupationally to influence our world.
Quantitative Influence = breadth of influence
Qualitative Influence = depth of influence
Quantitative influence is measured by how many people you influence. Qualitative influence is measured by the how much influence you have in one person’s life. You may not influence a lot of people (quantitative), but you can have lots of influence (qualitative). Dag Hammarskjöld, the former secretary-general of the UN, said, “It is more noble to give yourself completely to one individual than to labor diligently for the salvation of the masses.” You may feel like a small fish in a big pond, but you can make a difference. Here’s how.
The Epitome of Influence
2,000 years after his death and resurrection, 2,000,000,000 people claim to be followers of Christ. By any objective standard, Jesus ranks as the most influential person in history.
The word “crowd” is repeated 101 times in the gospels. Everywhere Jesus went he attracted a crowd. Entire villages would close up shop and go without food for days on end just to listen to him teach. A distinguished tax collector climbs a tree just to catch a glimpse, a prostitute crashes a Pharisee’s party to anoint Jesus, four friends lower a paralytic man on a mat through a hole in the roof of a house because it was too crowded to get in the front door. Even when Jesus limited his ministry to “remote” places, the disciples couldn’t keep people away. No one was more magnetic than Jesus. No one was more charismatic in the truest sense of the word. The words “grace” and “gifts” in the New Testament come from the Greek word charis, which is where we get our word “charisma.” No one was more graceful or gifted that Jesus.
Influence is measured three ways: 1) chronologically-across time, 2) geographically-across countries and continents, 3) demographically-across language and culture. Some people have tremendous influence on a generation, but their influence fades with time. Others influence a particular country or culture, but remain unknown beyond their geographic or demographic domain. But Jesus knows no chronological, geographical, or demographical boundaries.
I am two thousand years removed from Christ; I live half-way around the globe in a totally foreign culture with a different language; yet if you were to ask me who has had the greatest influence on my life, I’d tell you that person is Jesus hands down.
Whether you are a follower of Christ or not, His quantative and qualitative influence warrants a long, hard look. That is what this series is all about. We will look and learn from the epitome of influence.