I woke up on the morning of Friday, March 22 this year to read the obituary posted by Pastor Segun Olugbemi concerning his father who passed away the day before. I immediately put a call across to commiserate with him. From what I heard about the deceased, he was an iconic figure. For example, he acted as the treasurer for a group for about 50 years. On his own initiative, he had the records of birth and death in town. He challenged parents who were reluctant to send their children to school, offering to loan them money if that would help. I concluded that though he was not the official king of the town, he was a man of great influence. I described him as his community’s captain. Position is one thing, influence is a different thing altogether.

Position is one thing, influence is a different thing altogether…Strive less for position; go for influence. If you have power with God, it will invariably translate into power with men.

One may not occupy an official position but still wield tremendous influence. Here is a biblical example. Paul was a prisoner being shipped to Rome. In the ship were other prisoners, the captains of the ship, and the ship owner. However, when God chose to speak, it was with Paul. Again, though he was a prisoner, God put the souls of 276 people in the hands of Paul. As far as that voyage was concerned, Paul was God’s representative and the man in command. Strive less for position; go for influence. If you have power with God, it will invariably translate into power with men.