The Greatest Influencer: Love.

Today I visited Lindisfarne, also known as the Holy Island, with family in the north east of England.

Yesterday I came across an insightful comparison between John the Baptist and Jesus Christ when browsing books at the famous Barter Books bookshop in Alnwick, which I’ve been contemplating today:

“John’s faith was strong, faith in the God whom he served; his hope was strong, hope of a swift righting of the wrongs of this puzzling life, but to faith and hope must be added the greatest of the trinity of virtues, love. It was this quality which was lacking in John’s message; and it was this very quality which became incarnate in Jesus Christ.”

– Charles H. Scobie in ‘John the Baptist’

Far be it for me or anyone else to judge John the Baptist, but the author’s observation that love was lacking in his message gave pause me for thought…

Does it matter how ‘right’ we are if those we’re trying to influence don’t feel loved or at least cared for to some degree?

Can we be truly effective in inspiring change in others without love?

Even if we had the power to force change in others through physical might, could we ever truly bring about change through coercion?

Truth is that hearts and minds cannot be coerced or manipulated to change in the long run.

It might look like they can in the short-term, but this is merely a temporary illusion.

Sooner or later, people beaten down by force or entangled by manipulation will get back up on their feet and extricate themselves from the manipulation.

They will not be forced to change in heart or mind.

The key to real, lasting change lies within – and that key must be turned from within.

Those on the outside seeking to inspire change in others must knock on the door, gently and with love.

Just as Christ did and invites us to do still.

Here’s to adopting a better way of inspiring change in others.

Photo taken of St Cuthbert’s Island, Lindisfarne.