“In working out our calling, we are to perform for one audience, the audience of One.” Os Guinness
Yesterday I wrote about no one, not one single person, being “just one” because no one is “just.” Each person matters.
Today I’m writing about the One who matters most.
Since I’m a writer, I’m in online groups with traditionally published authors who have big followings. We often hear, “Grow your platform.” A platform is the people we’re trying to influence. If I’m not careful, I can get caught up in the numbers game.
I don’t want to discount my part in marketing my work. I also don’t want to lose sight of why I do what I do, where I’m headed, and who (God) I’m following, not who’s following me.
I heard a well-known speaker tell a story that happened early on in his career. His agent booked him to speak at a conference and expected an audience of at least 100. He walked into a room of 10. He had to regroup and remember, “These 10 people matter. They each know at least 10 people who matter, and they might tell those 10 people about this talk if they leave here believing they matter.”
I’ve heard dozens of stories like this one about authors and speakers whose lives changed when they swapped wanting to perform for a big audience to performing for an audience of One.
Their godly guidelines apply no matter our purpose and no matter our platform, whether we’re talking to an audience or to our families around the kitchen table, whether we’re with the CEO or a group of friends at dinner, whether we’re launching a book into the world or a baby.
- Show up to serve, not sell.
- Build relationships, not followers.
- Show up to support, not show off.
- Share stories, not auditorium stages.
- Know who is the source of everything.
- Say positive things or don’t say anything.
- Make life about what we give, not what we get.
- Be enthusiastic no matter the size of our audience.
- Call every reader and listener and child important.
Sometimes we don’t realize how much the business world applies around our kitchen table and how much of what we learn around the kitchen table needs to be practiced in the business world. It’s all about our audience of One.
I hope you’ll add to the list anything that comes to mind – things you learned from your parents and grandparents, from your children, from a mentor who pointed you back to God. Your part of the conversation matters.
In This Together,
Kim
From Donna F.’s email ~
Spot on, friend! It’s ALL about Him! Only Jesus!♥️
From Facebook ~
15 Loves, Likes, Cares
Mary Catherine Sargent
Thank YOU. I need to be reminded of some things I want to push aside.
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Kim Henson
Mary Catherine Sargent, me too! I’m writing these posts to keep myself straight. lol 😃 I sure hope they’re helping others too. 🥰
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Debbie Stewart Richardson
Kim Henson You’ll reach others you never will even know about, but that’s okay because your motive is all about Jesus! He knows EVERYone & thing!
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Kim Henson
Debbie Stewart Richardson, you used the word “motive.” JP talked about that in yesterday’s sermon. I love when I keep hearing the same message. I know to pay attention. Thanks, my friend. ❤
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Debbie Stewart Richardson
Kim Henson Yes, our minds are thinking on same lines! I was deciding if I could commit to a Bible Study about Elijah. Then that very week & since, Elijah’s name keeps popping up from my TV pastors I listen to! Just smiling to myself ‘cause I don’t even believe in coincidences! He says we are always being held in the palms of His hands and I believe Him!
P.S. ‘Motive’ kinda sorta sounds negative now, but I didn’t mean it that way. ❤️
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Debbie Stewart Richardson
Kim Henson I need to go online & see it, too, because I really enjoy listening to him!
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Debbie Stewart Richardson
Blessing …. and you can just cross the street & be there! I am .7 of mile to mine & it’s great being close!
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Kim Henson
Debbie Stewart Richardson, I think you’ll love the sermon. It’s about one of our core values, which is Serve, but we need to serve with the right motive. Not to get attention and not to be a good Christian, but because we love God and he wants us serving. Sounds so simple until we get pride mixed up in the equation.
It’s almost Tuesday! ❤ (well, it is Tuesday, but very early morning)
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Debbie Stewart Richardson
Kim Henson I’ll take time before we meet tonight to listen so we can talk about it tonight, if we can get to EVERYthing we need to cover without talking ‘til 1:30 am!
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Kim Henson
Debbie Stewart Richardson, I’m just seeing your comment. We didn’t have enough time. lol 😃
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Lyn Snyder
I remember sitting around the table and my Daddy telling me and my Brother, not to expect anyone to do what you wouldn’t do yourself. Actually work or be with them. That was ingrained into my heart and mind until this day!❤️
Thanks,
Kim🥰👏
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Kim Henson
Lyn Snyder, I hope our parents can see from heaven what an impression they made on us and how we’re living it out. I know your daddy’s proud. ❤ Thank you! 🥰
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