Silent Influence

The Masters Tournament is just around the corner. Over the next couple of weeks, I might post a few golf-related devotionals that I've written in the past.

Clifford Roberts and the Masters Tournament are synonymous. Roberts’ influence in Augusta was equaled only by Bobby Jones. Roberts ruled Augusta and, for one week each year, was the brains behind the greatest golf tournament in the world.

During the rest of the year, however, Clifford Roberts lived in obscurity. He was a Wall Street investment banker and president of Reynolds and Company, which later became Dean Witter Reynolds. He was the chief financial advisor and campaign finance director for President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Yet, even though he sat in high influential places, the New York Times had to call the Augusta Chronicle to get information for his obituary.

How can a man be so influential yet live in such obscurity? This is what Jesus did. He was born in a stable in an obscure town to a young unknown couple. He never held an office. He never wrote a book. He was not wealthy. He never hosted a sporting event. But his influence changed the world. Jesus simply lived his life in complete obedience to his father.

When we are focused on our relationship with God, he molds our character and personalities in such a way that we become influencers of his love and grace. We can be quiet influencers for Christ too. We don’t have to be a household name. We don’t have to be affluent. We don’t have to be powerful. We only need an intimate and authentic relationship with God.