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In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
Reflect
When I was a kid, one of my favorite treasure troves was my mother’s record collection. She had two boxes – one red and one green – that were filled with records by her favorite artists from when she was a teenager. These “45s” were very special to her, so I had to get permission just to look through them, let alone play them. Of course, Elvis Presley was one of her favorites, but the one I loved the most was Buddy Holly.
Buddy had a unique sound, at least for his time, and he was groundbreaking in the way that he played, sang and recorded. Sadly, Buddy was taken unexpectedly in a plane crash when he was just 22 years old (in the same crash that claimed J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson and 17-year-old sensation Richie Valens). The crash was immortalized in song years later as “the day the music died” by Don McLean in his classic, “American Pie.” But honestly, the music didn’t die that day. It lived on and is still living to this day.
Before he became a star, Buddy Holly had been a voracious student of music and took notes on the styles of countless people that he admired. He incorporated the best of what he saw and heard from artists like Elvis, Bo Diddley and Bill Haley & His Comets. The results were magnetic – and long-lasting. Buddy released only two albums before his death, and the world barely got to know him – and certainly missed out on decades of incredible music that he certainly would have made. But in the two short years that he spent entertaining fans, he also inspired future legends. Bob Dylan, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Hollies, Eric Clapton, Elton John and Bruce Springsteen have all cited Buddy Holly as one of their inspirations.
Another young man who recorded music for a few short years also had a lasting impact on future musicians – and on at least one future writer. Keith Green had been a child prodigy superstar when he was just 12 years old. Years later, Keith had a life-changing encounter with the Lord. Influenced by the teachings of 19th-century preacher Charles Finney, Keith began to devote his life to evangelizing the world through music. Compared to Buddy Holly, Keith recorded a ton of music, but there were still just five albums made before his death in 1982, also in a plane crash.
Keith inspired countless musicians who sought to glorify God through their music, and one song he recorded made a difference in my life. On June 17, 1984, it was his song, “Altar Call,” that got me to finally admit that I couldn’t save myself and that I needed Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
So there are two questions in front of you today. Who is influencing you? And, more importantly, who are you influencing? We all have people who have made a difference in our lives, but we should make sure they’re the kind of people who will help point us in a good and godly direction. But, whether you know it or not, you’re also influencing people every day. Our lives are on constant display, especially in this era where nothing seems private. Be aware that the actions you take and the things you say will reach the eyes and ears of others, many of whom don’t know Jesus and who need a touch from Him. Make sure that you act as a guide and not as a hindrance. Perhaps one day you’ll find out that something you said or did touched the heart of someone and made an eternal difference.
Reflection copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt.
