Last Sunday morning, as Colleen was looking out the window at our backyard, she commented, “It sure is raining hard!” It was a self-evident observation I, myself, have made hundreds of times through the years. “Yes, it is.”, I replied. At first, I reflected on what influence the rain might have on the day ahead. But, then my mind hearkened back to by-gone years—to classes in physics and other sciences—to principles long forgotten, discarded on the scrap pile of unused information. I asked myself, “What do we mean when we say, ‘It is raining hard!’”? Does this have to do with the velocity with which the rain is hitting the ground? Seems like I remember something about gravity—that, all things being equal, a drop of rain hits the earth at the same speed whether it is sprinkling or pouring. If that is true, then there must be other factors influencing our sense that it is raining hard or hardly raining. Included among these would be the size and number of raindrops hitting the ground.
We might compare raindrops to influence. Influence is our business. A little influence can go a long way. We are called “out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). We are called out to “appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life…” (Ph. 2:15-16). Jesus said, “You are the light of the world” (Mt. 5:14). He went on to say, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (vs. 16). Most are familiar with our responsibility to be a positive influence for Jesus.
A little droplet of rain gets little attention and hardly influences our plans. But, a big, fat, juicy drop of rain gets noticed—especially if it hits us on the head! Influence is hard to measure. But, it seems logical to believe that a larger raindrop carries greater influence. We need to grow as Christians so that we will have a greater impact on the world around us. Greater influence is the result of better works done with increasing frequency to the glory of God, our Father. Doing more in a better way requires spiritual growth—spiritual connectedness to Christ and His word (Jn. 15:1-8). This is our purpose. We were “created for good works” (Eph. 2:10). This is how we shine—this is how we influence others—not merely in what we say, but in what we do for the sake of Christ.
Greater influence is a worthy goal for the church collectively as well as for Christians individually. In fact, the greatest influence we might wield takes place as a result of our combined influence as we work together for the Lord (Jn. 17:20-23; Eph. 4:3). Which carries greater impact? A few drops now and then or a constant, coordinated shower of blessing? We can do better…we all must do our part.