JULY 30, 2013
A
Person Of Influence
Read: 2 Kings 5:1-15
She said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the
prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.”
—2 Kings 5:3
If
you Google “person of influence,” the search will take you to various lists
of
“the most influential people in the world.” These lists usually include
political
leaders; business entrepreneurs and athletes; along with people in
science,
the arts, and entertainment. You will not find the names of cooks and
cleaners
who work for them. Yet those in so-called lowly positions often
influence the
people they serve.
The
story of Naaman, a high-ranking military commander, includes two kings
and a
prophet of God (2 Kings 5:1-15). Yet it was the servants in the background
whose words led to Naaman being cured of leprosy, a career-ending,
life-changing
disease. A young servant girl taken captive from Israel told
Naaman’s wife that a
prophet in Samaria could heal him (vv.2-3). When Elisha’s
instructions to bathe in
the Jordan River angered Naaman, his servants urged
him to follow the prophet’s
orders. The result was Naaman’s restoration to
health and his declaration, “Now I
know that there is no God in all the earth,
except in Israel” (v.15).
What
a beautiful picture of our role as followers of Jesus Christ! We are called to
be people of influence—the Lord’s servants who point others to the One whose
touch can change their lives.
Lord, I would like to live a life of influence like
Naaman’s servant girl—to be brave and bold
to touch the lives of others by pointing them
to You. Fill me, Holy Spirit, with Your power.
Christ sends us out to bring others in.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
