The Fine Print: The Influencer

Feb 24
7 min read

Updated: Jun 19

Influence, when disconnected from obedience, loses its effectiveness.

One Act of Obedience Can Shift Eternity

Open our ears to hear your word. Speak to our heart. Amen!

Friend, this isn’t just another reminder that God has given you a purpose. It’s a wake-up call. Whether you’ve been ignoring His instructions or you’re currently living in your purpose—don’t get comfortable in your now.

There’s a difference between complacency and contentment, and understanding that difference is key to moving forward in obedience.

Complacency is the false sense of satisfaction that leads to stagnation. It’s when you stop growing, learning, and seeking God’s direction because you believe you’ve “done enough.”
Contentment is being at peace with where God has you while remaining eager and obedient to move when He says so.

Let’s check the Word for clarification and proof of this.

Biblical Perspective: Contentment vs. Complacency

Paul provides a perfect example of contentment rooted in obedience:

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 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 all this through him who gives me strength." — Philippians 4:11-13

Paul wasn’t complacent; he was continually driven by his mission to spread the gospel, even when facing hardships. He didn’t see contentment as a reason to stay still—he saw it as a posture of trusting God while pressing toward the goal.

On the flip side, let’s look at a warning against complacency:

"Woe to you who live only for the day, indifferent to the fate of others! Woe to the playboys, the playgirls, who think life is a party held just for them! Woe to those addicted to feeling good—life without pain! those obsessed with looking good—life without wrinkles! They could not care less about their country going to ruin.” — Amos 6:1 Msg.

The people of Israel became complacent, thinking their current blessings meant they didn’t need to follow God’s instructions fully.

But blessings without obedience lead to judgment, not favor. God never calls us to settle in the comfort of what we’ve already done—He calls us to seek Him for what’s next.

Real-Life Testimony: When Good Isn’t God

Let me share a bit of my journey. I started college wanting to be a pharmacist. I enrolled in a two-year college for pre-pharmacy and then transferred to a four-year university, thinking I was applying for pharmacy school. But surprise—I had only applied to the college itself. That’s a story for another day!

After two years of pre-pharmacy, I should have only had two more years to complete a degree, right? Wrong. It took me four more years. Six years to complete a four-year degree. Whew—talk about a test of endurance! I struggled. Breaking barriers is not for the faint at heart.

After graduation, I began working at an elementary school, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t walking in God’s purpose for me. Over Christmas break one year, it hit me: this is a good thing, but it’s not a God thing. So, I left and enrolled in a master’s program for mental health therapy, thinking, Well, since people feel comfortable telling me their problems, this must be what God wants me to do.

I spent five years trying to complete what should have been a two-year program. I made it all the way to the semester before my clinicals, but I was removed from the program after failing the graduate exam three times. I was completely broken and had no direction.

That season taught me a hard but necessary truth: not every good thing is a God thing. I had taken what seemed like a logical path and pursued it with all my strength, but God wasn’t in it.

I learned that obedience isn’t about doing what seems right—it’s about following what God specifically tells you to do. The problem was, I never asked God what His will was for my life. I just followed my own passions and desires because, hey—let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to pursue a prestigious career? But what seems prestigious in the world doesn’t always align with God’s plan.

In the end, I realized that true success isn’t found in worldly achievements but in obedience to God’s will.

Every Good Task Is Not a God-Driven Assignment

Have you ever seen someone busy doing nothing? They’re running from one task to another, exhausted, but at the end of the day, they’ve made no real progress. That was my life. That’s what happens when we focus on tasks God hasn’t assigned to us.

Busyness is not the same as purpose.

Just because something is good doesn’t mean it’s your assignment. The difference lies in whether or not God assigned it.

King Saul learned this lesson the hard way. God had given him clear instructions to destroy everything in Amalek (1 Samuel 15). But instead of full obedience, Saul kept some of the best livestock, rationalizing that offering them as sacrifices would be a good thing. For us, this might look like saying, "I'm going to do this good deed because being good is godly." But in reality, we could be practicing lawlessness by stepping outside of God’s will.

The enemy can use even seemingly good deeds to distract you from your true assignment. When we focus on tasks God hasn’t assigned, we dilute our influence and miss the opportunities God intended for us to lead, impact, and serve where He has called us.

When Samuel confronted Saul, he tried to justify his actions:

“Saul defended himself. ‘What are you talking about? I did obey GOD. I did the job GOD set for me. I brought in King Agag and destroyed the Amalekites under the terms of the holy ban. So what’s the problem? If my troops saved back a few choice sheep and cattle for the sacrifice to GOD at Gilgal, what’s wrong with that?”— 1 Samuel 15:20-21 Msg.

But Samuel’s response was clear:

"Do you think all GOD wants are sacrifices—empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing what GOD tells you is far worse than fooling around in the occult. Getting self-important around GOD is far worse than making deals with your dead ancestors. Because you said No to GOD’s command, he says No to your kingship.”— 1 Samuel 15:22 Msg.

Saul’s “good idea” wasn’t God’s idea. Partial obedience is still disobedience. When we take on tasks God didn’t call us to, we limit the influence He’s entrusted to us and miss the chance to fully walk in His plan.

Obedience Fuels Your Influence

We can’t assume that every good task is tied to God’s purpose. Obedience is about doing what God has specifically commanded, not what seems right in our own eyes. Proverbs 3:5 reminds us: “Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.”

When we prioritize His Word and instructions over our own plans, we walk in true alignment with His will and maximize our influence.

This lesson is further illustrated in the story of Mary and Martha. While Martha was focused on good tasks, Mary chose obedience by sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him:

“But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. ‘Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.’

The Master said, ‘Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.’” — Luke 10:40-42 Msg.

Just like Saul, Martha was doing something good—preparing to serve Jesus!! But Jesus made it clear that obedience and time spent in His presence are better than being busy with tasks, even good ones. Obedience unlocks lasting influence, while distractions dilute it.

The Connection to Influence: Staying on God’s Assignment

Saul’s disobedience led to him losing his kingdom and influence.
Martha’s busyness caused her to miss the moment to grow spiritually.
My own striving kept me busy with good tasks but disconnected from God’s true assignment.

All three examples—Saul, Martha, and my own experience—illustrate the same truth:

Influence without obedience becomes ineffective.

When you obey God’s instructions fully, you position yourself to lead, impact others, and advance His kingdom. Your obedience is the key to unlocking God’s influence through you.

So, ask yourself: Am I busy doing good things that God never assigned me? If the answer is yes, it’s time to pause, pray, and realign with His plan.

Because one act of obedience can shift eternity. 💛

Reflect:

Ask yourself:

Am I staying in God’s lane, or am I pursuing good things that He hasn’t assigned me?
Is busyness diluting my influence by keeping me from fully obeying God’s instructions?
How can I realign with God’s purpose today to walk in the influence He’s called me to?

Influence isn’t about doing more—it’s about obeying God and trusting His plan.

A Prayer for Obedience

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank you for not leaving me in my mess. Wash my heart. Remove all debris that has clogged my heart. Forgive me for the times I’ve chased good things without seeking Your will. I choose you.

Today, I surrender my plans and ambitions. Help me to stay aligned with Your assignments and trust that what You’ve called me to do is enough.

Strengthen my faith so I can follow Your voice, even when the path isn’t clear.

May my obedience unlock the influence and impact You’ve prepared for me, and may everything I do bring glory to Your name. I trust you. It is so now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Talk to you next week friend!