Dream Small For Big Influence

Dan Young, MD KSOS/Las Vegas

Every time I analyze my station's ratings, I step into very dangerous territory, temptation-wise.

I'm tempted to look at the rankings, and celebrate as I see how many stations are beneath us. I'm tempted to look at my own daypart, and see how it stacks up to the rest of the afternoon shows in my market. If I'm being really honest, I even compare my daypart to the other shows on my own station.

The thing is, there's a huge difference between seeking excellence in our work and seeking recognition for our work. But since we don't ever have to earn God's approval through our own excellence, the line between the two gets blurry quickly.

Here's the deal: it's easy to want to be a superstar. A "superstar for Jesus," I mean. In Christian radio, we act like it's okay to want to be lifted up as better than others...as long as we "Praise God!" as we accept the award.

I should know. I've done it.

But it means we're still battling the sickness of Self. As Christians, you and I are members of the Body of Christ, which means our influence (and success) is no longer about the Self.

Proverbs 13:7 says 'A pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life.' (MSG).

We Christians love to quote the Bible where it says, 'I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me!' (paraphrasing). But we forget the context - that Paul is actually talking about being content with whatever sort of life God hands us, even one without much recognition, celebration or marketing budget.

He says, 'I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength' (Philippians 4:12-13).

So, applying that verse to your life may look less like, "Of course I'll be a success, I'll get what I'm chasing after, because He'll give me strength!" And more like, "I'm gonna do this with excellence, and even if I don't get what I want, even if I don't get the promotion or the applause, it's OK, because God gives me what I really need."

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul talks about how to live a life that's pleasing to God. He says: 'and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody' (1 Thess. 1:11-12).

I think it's okay to want the highest ratings possible on my station-as long as my desire isn't based in a need to glorify myself. And if I'm honest with myself, that's really tough.

But if you can separate those two things-the drive for excellence and the desire for recognition-something amazing happens.

You effectively tell the world that you aren't running the same tired, old race with them anymore. Which will be a big change, because as long as we're chasing applause, we're all climbing the same hill.

They still elbow each other as they claw their way to the top. But not you. On the Internet, they still portray their lives as perfect, more perfect than your life. But not you. In their hearts, they'll still chase after the big numbers, the big influence.

But not you.

You'll live a quiet life of contentment. You'll be fulfilled and joyous, regardless of the world's opinion of you. You learn that silence isn't just the absence of applause, it's the space where God can speak to you. You may never be the most famous or the most celebrated, but that's okay. God sees your heart, your love for Him, your hard work, and He celebrates you!

And when our culture becomes filled with Christians doing likewise, the REAL influence happens. Non-Christians say, "Wow, every time I bump into one of these Christians, they are so different. They aren't chasing after the same stuff everyone else is. They must have something different, because they act so weird."

When they realize you aren't climbing to the top of the hill anymore, they'll wonder what you know that they don't.

That's where your influence really begins.