July 13, 2025
The Life-Giving Threads of Influence
Whom are you following – and who is following you?
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Bible Verse
“So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.”
Proverbs 2:20
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Introduction
Whether you like it or not – you have influence. On your friends, your family, your classmates, on social media. Each of us weaves threads in our surroundings. But which direction do these threads point to? Proverbs 2:20 speaks directly to this: Whom are you following? And where are you leading others?
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Devotional – The Invisible Thread
Our life is like a fabric – a network of relationships, choices, and influences. Every day, we leave traces. Our words, our actions, even our silence – everything sends a message. And sometimes, we forget how powerful our influence can be.
Proverbs 2 describes the difference between two paths: the path of the wicked and the path of the righteous. In verse 20, God calls us to follow the way of the good. Why? Because the influence of these people brings us closer to God – not away from Him.
Ellen White wrote:
“Every person exerts an influence, either consciously or unconsciously, for good or for evil. This influence is a part of our character and is passed on to others.”
(Ellen G. White, Education, p. 33)
This influence is like a living thread – it connects us with others, but also with God. If you follow the way of the righteous, you are not only a follower, but you become a guide yourself.
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Story – “The Boy at the Window”
In a small village in the Carpathian Mountains lived a boy named Luca. He was twelve years old, small and slender, with large, dark eyes – and he spent most of his time at the window of his house. Luca was ill. A rare lung disease prevented him from going outside. The doctors said it would be a miracle if he lived to adulthood.
His house stood on the village’s only street – directly across from the school. Every morning, Luca watched the other children walk by. They ran, laughed, pushed each other, carrying backpacks full of books and plans. And every day, Luca waved to them – with a gentle smile on his face.
At first, no one really noticed him. Some kids gave him a quick glance, others ignored him. But one day, a boy named David stopped. He was the class clown, a daredevil, not particularly popular with teachers. He saw Luca at the window, raised his hand and waved back. Luca beamed.
The next day, David waved again. And the day after, too. Then he knocked on the window as if to say, “I see you.”
A week later, David brought him a hand-drawn picture. It showed two boys – one behind a window, the other in front of it, both with wide smiles. Luca was speechless.
That little gesture didn’t go unnoticed. Other children began to wave as well. Some held up signs: “Good morning, Luca!” or “We’re praying for you!” Over the months, Luca became something like the silent center of the class – without ever having set foot in the school.
One day, the teacher assigned an essay titled “The Hero of My Life.” Most kids wrote about football stars or historical figures. David wrote:
“My hero sits at the window. He can hardly walk, but every day he gives me a smile that shows me how precious life is.”
Two years passed. Luca grew weaker, but his window remained his place. And every morning, children stood there – some with a sign, some with a song, some with just a smile.
On the day Luca died, many in the village cried. The school hung a white flag with a cross in his window. Below the window, large letters read:
“He never spoke – yet he changed our hearts.”
Many years later, David had become a young man. He had studied medicine and become a pediatrician – inspired by Luca. In an interview, he once said:
“I’ve met many people in my life. But the boy with the weak body and the strong heart taught me what real influence means. Not through strength. Not through words. But through love, constancy, and hope.”
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Thoughts on the Story
This story shows us something profound: Influence doesn’t need a stage. It doesn’t need a microphone, Instagram followers, or a big show. Real impact often happens quietly – through character and heart. Luca could hardly live – and yet he showed others how to truly live.
Proverbs 2:20 reminds us: “Walk in the way of the good…” – Sometimes, those good people are the ones we least expect. And sometimes, God is calling us to be that person.
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Reflection – What Does This Mean for You?
Who is influencing your thinking and actions today?
What traces are you leaving in your surroundings?
How can you be a blessing to someone today – not through grand gestures, but through small signs?
The path of the righteous does not begin with giant leaps. It begins with small, intentional choices. Every day. You choose which thread you spin – and whom you follow.
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Today’s Reflections
Reflect: Who has positively influenced you? Why?
Act consciously: Do at least one good deed today – without expecting recognition.
Be a role model: Even when no one is watching, be faithful and honest.
Pass it on: How can you use your influence to encourage others?
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Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
thank You for giving me a role model in the life of Jesus.
Help me to follow the way of the good and be a light to others.
Let me recognize where I can have a positive influence.
Keep me from following the wrong paths,
and give me courage to remain steadfast and faithful.
Amen.
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Takeaway
Your influence is like a thread – where does it lead others?
