I was once told I am too influential. At the time and due to the circumstance under which this comment was made I was puzzled. I had not given thought to my having any influence with anyone other than my children. Yet, I wondered how I or anyone could be too influential. Too, is that as in far more than needed or wanted? For that commenter, I think that's what he met.
It's been noted that moral values don't just come in by the door of reason only, but also by way of arts and entertainment.
I have wondered about the behaviors of persons who ascribe to certain beliefs. Verbally speaking a good game. Yet, consistently living and producing a picture in complete opposite to that speech. Note the word consistently. Now, I know that we can at times act inconsistent with what we know to be right. Yes, it is possible to know you are wrong, know how to do right and do wrong any way. ask Paul in Romans. But what happened, how do we get there? Reason says no, reason says this has never come to a good end. So, why do we go there?
Influences! Example, I once watch a young man playing a game. tomb raiders, I think it was. The woman wasn't preforming as he expected. forgive me I don't know the game. But, she was swimming and needed to come up for air. He let her drown. She struggled, trying to swim up. but he had the controls. I was out done. You're killing her! I yelled. He very calmly stated. she's not getting the clues so she may as well die. besides its just a game. I said nothing to anyone til now. However, I thought I need to keep an eye on this one. He has no empathy.
I hate killing, I hate to watch killing on TV, I hate to kill the bugs and snakes that invade my vegetable garden. That's why I go out and talk to them every morning. ( you did not need to know that, but I wrote it and I'll leave it) For those who get caught in my garden I sadly kill and only if I can't get them out with out self harm. Anybody see where I'm going here? murder, stealing, sexual perversion, whoredom no longer carry the same stigma and out cry they once had. There is a noticeable lessening of compassion for those with less than ourselves. A suspecting of anyone who doesn't look like us, talk like us, dress like us or is not US. Ever read blogs or comments of persons declaring their fear and negative expectations as ultimate truth of everything and everyone?
Where did these ideas come from? How were they formed? By influences. Influences of media, celebrities, politicians, preachers of doom and gloom, negative people with power.
In my state, Florida USA, if you end up having to be on state assistance for any reason. You suddenly are a criminal, a drug abuser, lazy, don't want to work, scum of the earth ( my interpretation).
So, to protect the good citizens of our state, who still have jobs and can still afford to buy food for their families and pay for their health care, at a( lower rate than cobra) You must submit and pay for a yearly drug test. just like the persons who have been charged and or convicted of a crime.
How did this indignity happen? Persons in places of power and influence said that is why your the state has so much debt. Cause you got to pay for these deadbeats.
I see, and possibly not as much after this goes on face book. I see often christian women and teens dressed in sexually provocative clothing, lips and or butts pointed toward the cameras in their photo files. I get invites to baby showers but not to weddings. I read the angry ravings of mad moms about their no good baby daddies. Baby daddies who rant about the whores and sluts they placed their seed in. The language used many time is profane or evident of a lack of education. Why is this so common? The influence of people with power, media and entertainment.
Yes, I have at times been influenced by the same hype, even though I think of my self as a person of reason. I've fought with myself about doing wrong when I knew to do right, did wrong anyway.
I one day had enough. I have embraced the position of influence. I desire to influence right standing with God, setting first things first, all in right order. I desire to speak louder, be more visible and influence more people to conform to the kingdom standards, Yes, to subscribe to a higher calling with a higher purpose. To Live The legacy.
