“There’s a difference between changing your opinion, and changing your lifestyle.” – Leonard Ravenhill

When asked who the most influential Success-Minded Person in the world today is the answers can cover a wide range. Of course, depending on the country you are in it could be any political leader or the person in the news at the moment. In business it can be a number of people from Bill Gates to Richard Branson. Some may pick people from the world of arts and entertainment or the movers and shakers in modern culture. Putting all of them aside, I will tell you that the most influential person is you.

No one has the power to change the couture more than you. How can that be? It is because the morals and the attitude of society are based on the people who are in it. All the big names in business, entertainment and politics are influential because you allow them to be. That is both good and bad. The church in America is growing because people attend and are active in their spiritual life. Likewise the porn industry makes billions of dollars a year because people buy their product. If people stopped so would the industry.

What the Success-Minded Person must understand is that we have not lost a godly and wholesome influence on society, we gave it away. The old saying is so true, “For bad people to succeed all it takes is good people to do nothing.” Over the years we have chosen to not get involved, we have allowed others to do whatever they wish and to be “open-minded” to the world. Let me tell you: There are wicked people in this world who will – every time – take advantage of your passiveness. They do not believe we all have a right to live as we wish. They want to control you and your freedoms. Don’t believe that? Look at what is happening with regulations on what we drive, eat, give our children for lunch and our freedom to speak of God as we wish.

You may be just one person but you are the one person who matters in all this. If each of us took the responsibility of believing we can make a difference we could change this downhill trip to one of victory and freedom. American author and historian Edward Everett Hale said, “I am only one, but still, I am one. I cannot do everything but I can do something. And, because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do what I can.” If you are willing to be the example of good living, honesty and godliness, you will inspire others to do the same, and they will inspire others as well.

The time has come for Success-Minded People to get their heads out of the sand, stand for what is right and not allow those who would take control to do so. We are a free people and a good people. No longer will you stand by as someone claiming to know more than you do, takes your rights and freedom away bit by bit. You have the power to make the change. You are the person of influence.

© 2011 John Patrick Hickey