How would others measure your life? What would they measure against? What would be the barometer?

After leadership changes in Israel and Judah in 1 and 2 Kings, a description is consistently repeated about the one leading the country. In this description of their leadership style, the king’s relationship with God is the benchmark of their life. Although brief, it gives you an accurate description of what will happen under their leadership, how the people will be treated and whether the country would live in peace during the reign of this particular king. Below are a few examples:

• Abijam – And he walked in all the sins that his father did before him, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father. 1 Kings 15:3
• Omri – Omri did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did more evil than all who were before him. For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in the sins that he made Israel to sin, provoking the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger by their idols. 1 Kings 16:25-26
• Jehoram – He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, though not like his father and mother, for he put away the pillar of Baal that his father had made. Nevertheless, he clung to the sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin; he did not depart from it. 2 Kings 3:2-3
• Jehoram (different than above) – 18 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. 2 Kings 8:18

Each king described during this period of history had a leadership style that was measured against obedience to God. The description is black and white, no grey area. The king either walked in the way of the Lord or did not. And, this initial description of the leadership style of the king predicted the future. In fact, this phrase is a trigger in one’s mind, a foreshadowing of events to come. If the king feared God, expect peace in the land. If the king did not fear God, followed the ways of the world, expect war, famine, idol worship, lies, deception, difficult times in the land.

But notice, in every instance, the king’s leadership style, their life, was impacted by another person. In fact, who they were as a person was described by who they imitated. They “walked in the ways” of another person. The king was who they were because of the influence of another. If you follow the dominos, because of influence, generations were impacted over single individuals. For example, study Ahab in the Bible. Over and over we see his evil leadership impacting other leaders.

The absolute truth is that people influence people. This influence impacts countries, companies, families, generations. Influence is powerful and changes the world. This has never changed and never will change. Ask anyone who had the greatest positive impact on their life and why, and you quickly know what is important to the individual.

So, the influence of people hasn’t changed, but what has changed is the barometer of measurement. In today’s world, unlike the king’s in Biblical times, the barometer of a person’s life is typically not obedience to God. It seems that we have moved away from this as the barometer, but the measure of a life is more about one’s worldly defined success. If this is true, then it stands to reason that generation after generation would look to the things of the world more and more as the definition of success or what matters in life.

If we know that the things of this world do not bring joy or a full life, we have to change the barometer. To change the barometer of my life and the influence of those in my circle, I must intentionally choose how I live. My focus has to be be where I want the barometer of my life to be. If I want the measure of my life to be obedience to God, then I must focus my love, my time, my efforts toward Him. Others will naturally see this in my walk. Then, if it is ever written that my life influenced others, say my children, one would know who they are at their core.

When talking about influence, I can’t skip the role of God, His grace, His impact on the individual. Ultimately, it is His grace that changes lives. The recognition of His grace poured out on me will compel me to live differently, and this will impact others. His grace to me will cause others to recognize His grace in their own lives. We may influence others, but, ultimately, it is God that changes lives. He can do this at any moment, any time, with anyone. And, when He does, the barometer suddenly flips from the things of this world to the One who made the world.

Impact others. Live generously.

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