What is “the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself?” John Maxwell says plainly that the broad of subject of leadership boils down to this one word.

These words are synonymous with it. Effect. Impact. Control. Sway. Hold. Power. Authority. Mastery. Domination. Supremacy. Guidance. Direction. Pressure.

What am I talking about?

INFLUENCE! All of us desire to have an influence on someone or something. We formulate opinions, strategies, paradigms, thoughts, songs, poems, art, conversations, systems, structures, ideas, etc. just influence the “other” that we are focused on.

I don’t know anyone more influential than Jesus. He split time in half. He is the most controversial figure in human history. He is God. He is man. He is all and in all and upholds all and sustains all.

His influence changes us for the better. His unconditional love for us calls us to a place of surrender and submission. We willingly make ourselves vulnerable to His goodness. Recently, I have been reading the gospel of John and documenting what I find beautiful about this influential man.

John 1:4-5, “In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”

1. Jesus is life and the essence of who He is gives us light.
2. Jesus is a bright light that shines in our midst.
3. Jesus is life. He does not wreak of death.
4. Jesus shines brightly in all places, at all time, in all circumstances.
5. Jesus is mysterious.
6. Jesus is overwhelming victory.
7. Jesus is God’s son.
8. Jesus is the Beloved.
9. Jesus made a way for us to Be-Loved.
10. Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory.
11. Jesus reveals to us the Father’s heart and goodness.
12. Jesus is a peacemaker.
13. Jesus is present.
14. Jesus is aware.

John 1:9, “The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.”

1. Jesus gives light to EVERY MAN.
2. Jesus casts no ugly shadows.
3. Jesus destroys shame and brings us into freedom.
4. Jesus freed us from sin.
5. Jesus liberates.
6. Jesus covers us with his grace and mercy.
7. Jesus love and light is always on.
8. Jesus beauty hides our ugliness and sin and transforms us into a beautiful bride.

John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

1. Jesus is a servant.
2. Jesus was willing to be endure the corruption of the flesh.
3. Jesus is sinless.
4. Jesus redeems.
5. Jesus transforms from the inside out.
6. Jesus entered our “need” to the form of it and redeemed it.
7. Jesus left the glory of heaven, motivated by love, to save mankind.
8. Jesus only knows love.
9. Jesus’ love is furious.
10. Jesus reveals what intimacy with the Father looks like.
11. Jesus initiates a new way of thinking, living, leading and loving.
12. Jesus is patient.
13. Jesus only knows victory.
14. Jesus is in perfect alignment with the Father.
15. Jesus was vulnerable.
16. Jesus is beautiful.
17. Jesus is brilliant.

John 1:15-18, John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ ” 16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

1. Jesus walks and lives in fullness.
2. Jesus only knows abundance.
3. Jesus dominion and victory is effortless.
4. Jesus fulfilled his purpose so we are empowered to fulfill ours.
5. Jesus is the Son of God.
6. Jesus is the Son of Man.
7. Jesus makes sons of men into sons of God.

This Jesus is influencing your heart. He is having an effect on the character, development and behavior of all of us. He has such amazing capacity and power.

So how is this dynamic man and shaper of history effecting your heart? How is he effecting your development as a child of God? How is he effecting your behavior and love for others?

I hope these thoughts inspire you to think about how you are reflecting him in this world.