Women are Influencers

Lola MagazineKatie Walker, Louisiana Ladies, Philipa Booyens

And We Are Needed Right Now

Why did Satan give the apple to a WOMAN?

It was a question I had never asked myself, but I knew the revelation of it would change my life. One needs look no further than our social feeds today to see that this world needs love. We are constantly bombarded with fear, anger, negativity, hatred and complaints. There has never been a time when women and men were more needed to rise up and be who God is calling us to be than right now. At the time when God pressed the question upon my spirit, I was heavily involved in fighting human trafficking. I was speaking around my community and had started hosting a website focused on empowering women to walk in their destiny with the word of God. I was digging in and seeking more when I heard the Lord press upon my heart that question. I knew what was coming next would be a life-changing revelation.

“Because Eve was an influencer,” I felt the Lord say. “Satan knew he could get to anyone through Eve. Women are influencers. You, as women, have been given the power to affect others. How are you influencing those around you?” Immediately, I started pondering how I had acted that day. Was I kind? Was I uplifting? Was I focused on only myself and my needs? Did I influence those around me for good or bad? Then a thought passed through my head, quieting all the others, “Wait a minute. Do you really think you have that much power?” That question had a familiar ring to it. It reminded me of how Satan deceived Eve in the garden:

“But the serpent said to the woman, you shall surely not die, for God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity. And when the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave some also to her husband, and he ate.”  Genesis 3:4-6

Notice how the serpent went to Eve. She was the first woman and the first influencer. When “…she gave some also to her husband, and he ate it,” no questions were mentioned. No disputes ensued, like Eve had made with the serpent. Adam just ate it because Eve gave it to him. From the very beginning, the power we have been given to influence our world and those around us has always been clear. I believe that is why the serpent – Satan – is still very focused in his attacks against women, just as he was after this revelation, trying to convince me not to believe what I was hearing from the Lord. But the enemy could not dissuade me from believing what God had clearly pressed upon my spirit. It is time for women to rise up. Now is not a time to cower and follow the leading of the world. Now is not the time to fear or doubt your own abilities or what God can do. If God is calling you, He will equip you for the calling. That’s what He made and designed you to do. It is why you are here. Just like Esther, you were made for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). The power and purpose of your influence has never been more important.

The world we are living in is filled with hate, sin and sadness. We are living in the legacy of those who influenced before us and what we do now will shape our present and the future generations. God tells us in Psalm 78 that He gave Moses His laws to be passed down from this generation to the next, even to those not born yet. By following His ways, we — as the chosen children of God — will break the bondage of stubborn and rebellious generations. For if we don’t recognize the power of influence we have, what we pass down will be just like the past generations whose spirits have strayed from God and who refused to love Him with all their hearts. We will essentially abandon the world to darkness, sin and the problems this has created. “Now is the time to arise.” (Song of Songs 2:10). Now is the time to change this world. Let’s grab each other by the arm and look directly in one another’s eyes and speak to the dreams each person has to come alive. Let us recognize and use the power of influence God has designed in us to help birth and create what He has placed within those around us. The world is crying out for us, as women, to bring Heaven’s kingdom to earth. Let’s rise up and lead by calling out the gold from within each other. Your power is rooted and created out of His love for you.

We have been designed and purposed to make the greatest impact on this earth for God and His kingdom. Our greatest impact can be found when we embrace the reality of what God speaks over us. He meets us where we are and calls us beautiful. He calls us radiant one, flawless one, beloved, and more than a conqueror even before we show interest in His ways. He sings over us and tells us to place our burdens and cares at His feet. He is not disappointed in you. He enjoys exactly who He made. We have a King who desires to enhance our beauty with His love and mark us with redeeming grace. You are lovely to Him. You are His companion and you stand out from all the rest. You, my friend, are His favorite.

Receive and embrace the words He speaks over you and let His love transform and ignite passion in your heart. Your burning passion will take you on the grandest adventure impacting every person within your wake. The time is now. The wait is over, and the spring is here. Breakthrough of His promises are the subtle breezes that are whispering in your ear.

Rise up, Woman of Influence. He is calling you to come away with Him. Let Him draw you into His heart and lead you out. The signs and purposes of your heart are the deepest longings you can hear deep down that are asking you to burst forth.

Do you see signs of greatness in others? Speak that out of them. Call your sisters and friends up. It begins with a word. A word to encourage and inspire bravery in one another. Lean into the King and let Him rekindle the fire that will lift you up and out of the mundane. Call out the inner strength in those around. You are ready. Whether you feel like it or not. Trust God and take the steps needed to pursue the beauty that is found within.

Women are influencers. We can change this world. We need to do so and are called to do so. This world needs you. That’s why you are here. We must truly believe the promises of God over our lives, trust Him, and move forward in faith. It’s time to discover and embrace all that you are called to be. Move in the influence you have been given so that we can make the world a better place.

Learn more about the “Woman of Influence” book and how Katie Walker and Philipa Booyens are influencing those around them at www.insightscene.com. “Woman of Influence” is available for purchase at 318 Art & Garden in Shreveport, Amazon, and Insightscene.com.

Come join us for 318! Authors Night – A deep dive into “Woman of Influence,” a 30-Day Devotional co-authored by Katie Walker. Live music be provided by local singer/songwriter Marcie Ellen, and will include original songs from her new album and acoustic covers. The event will be September 20 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 318 Art & Garden, 750 Southfield, Shreveport. Tickets will be available through eventbrite.