Been thinking…. about influence!

If we measure our influence within the span of our lifetime, is it really influence? I mean like how many facebook friends we have or how many twitter followers. Or how many people come to our church or how many subscribers we have to our blog, magazine or newsletter. All ways of measuring influence but is it really influence or just a fad.

by Yoni Lerner

I think real influence should be measured in generations not circulation. The most influential people in history may or may not have been hugely successful or had many followers in their lifetime. In fact the the most influential person in history had only 120 people show up to follow his last instructions. If Christ’s influence would have been measured by the popularity standards we hold to now, Ashton Kutcher or Oprah would have to be considered more influential.

But… and it’s a pretty big but, if we measure influence in generations, then Christ’s influence has outlasted anyone in history. In fact when we look back on history, the only real influencers are still remembered generations after they had their earthly sojourn.

So… my point is this: shouldn’t we spend more time living for the generations that will follow us and less time building for today? What do you think?