What She shared . . .

Let’s talk about elevating your influence. That’s all we hear about these days, right? Someone’s written a book about it, this one’s got a master class on it, and if you pay so-and-so the discounted rate of just $297, you’ll get an all-access pass to a conference filled with tips and tricks to elevate your personal brand, ministry, or business.

But when we think about extending our influence beyond our lives it really comes down to what we are willing to SHARE with others. When that deposit is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our influence goes beyond the scope of time into eternity. Priscilla didn’t necessarily have her influencer plan all mapped out. She didn’t have a content planner, carefully laying out what she would post and when or who her target audience would be.

“After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers” (Acts 18:1-3, KJV).

Her occupation was a tentmaker. Her status was a displaced Jewish woman from Rome, who along with her husband had recently arrived in Corinth. Opening their home to the Apostle Paul, Priscilla and Aquila provided hospitality and the opportunity for Paul to make some income as he joined them in their trade.

“And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John” (Acts 18:24-25, KJV).

But when she and her husband Aquila took Apollos aside for some instruction, she simply saw an opportunity to share what she knew with someone who didn’t have the same level of revelation about God that she possessed. Her focus wasn’t on elevating her influence but intentionally sharing the message God needed Apollos to hear. In the simple act of sharing or depositing truth into the open heart of an emerging leader, Priscilla demonstrated what powerful leadership looks like, what it really means to elevate your influence.

“And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly” (Acts 18:26, KJV).

As leadHERs in present culture we just might think it’s in the likes, shares, and followers. We too might get caught up in hyper content producing for Instagram/facebook/twitter feeds, never recognizing which actions will earn us more than the occasional thumbs up or hearts. Priscilla reminds us of where genuine influence occurs most often – in interpersonal relationships. To be influential in a major way, she didn’t have to stand on a major platform in front of a large crowd, or even use a social media platform with a large following to make an influential mark.

Recognizing the significance of the moment to share the Gospel allowed her to leave an indelible mark on Apollos’s life and make an imprint that extended into his ministry. What do you know that someone near you needs to hear? Can you/will you value the opportunities present in your everyday experience to elevate your influence?

The knowledge that Apollos lacked to fulfill his kingdom assignment, Priscilla and Aquila had and gladly shared. And when they did, Apollos was equipped to take the Gospel into places they would probably never visit.

“And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ” (Acts 18:27-28, KJV).

Priscilla’s story presents a powerful reminder to elevate opportunities to share with others in personal interactions. When we do, we often have the greatest occasion to exert influence that has a lasting impact.

ELEVATE – Elevate interpersonal relationships as platforms for influence.

ENGAGE – Engage opportunities to share what you know with others to fill in their knowledge gaps.

ENVISION – Envision a legacy that makes purposeful deposits into the lives of others.

ENCOURAGE – Encourage someone else’s spiritual development and watch your influence grow.

LeadHERs, my prayer for you today is that you will see the opportunities for influence and impact that surround you every day. In your interactions with others, be led by God’s Spirit to share the spiritual wisdom and insight He has gifted to you. May you recognize the difference between temporary human applause and true eternal influence.

Your Sister in LeadHERship,

Dr. Margaret R. Frye

Want to learn more about Priscilla’s story? Find it in Acts 18:1-3, 24-28.

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