We
humans love to be important, to be recognized. It's a prideful desire
that is part of our inheritance from the fall.
But
what if we desire to be a Very Influential Person? Using 2 Cor.
10:13, 15 (ESV), Hawkins argues that God has given each of us a
specific area of influence where no one can be as effective as we
can.
Continuing
the use of VIP, he suggests we become people of Vision, Integrity,
and Purpose. He writes of the importance of vision in one's life and
tells stories of people who inspired others with their vision. Our
culture needs people of integrity, he says. He explains how it must
be rooted in our private world and will then be reflected in our
public world. While every Christian has the general purpose of
glorifying God, God wants to reveal a specific purpose for each of
us. We must be in relationship with God, sensitive to the Spirit, and
know the Word for us to know our individual purpose. Living this kind
of life is following the example of Jesus.
Hawkins
includes stories of people who have influenced his life in the last
quarter of the book.
This
little book might be a nice gift for graduation or as one
contemplates a career change. It is very readable and encourages us
to be influential in those particular areas God has chosen for us.
My
rating: 4/5 stars.
O.
S. Hawkins has served in pastorates for over twenty-five years,
including First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. He is the president
of GuideStone Financial Resources which serves employees of Christian
organizations with their retirement and benefit services needs. He is
the author of more than twenty-five books. He and his wife have two
married daughters and six grandchildren. You can find out more at
www.oshawkins.com.
Thomas
Nelson, 128 pages.
I
received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for
the purpose of an independent and honest review.
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