As I was leaving church a few weeks ago, a friend handed me a book that he had picked up at a business conference. He told me that he really enjoyed it and thought I would too! I’m always grateful for friends who pass along books. I always try to do the same! The book he gave me is VIP: How to Influence with Vision, Integrity, and Purpose by O.S. Hawkins. I’m not sure if I would have run across this one on my own, but this small book definitely packs a punch! I really like the way that Hawkins deconstructed society’s view of a VIP and put it into a right place based on a solid biblical worldview.
I highlighted several things while reading and have posted those notes below…
- Etyologically, our English word influence comes from a compound of two Latin words that are translated “in” and “flow”. p. 10
- There is someone you can influence like no one else in this world can. No matter who you are, where you live, who you know, or what you do, the God of the universe has assigned a sphere of influence just to you. p. 12
- Those with vision are men and women who do not see situations and circumstances only as they are now, but as they could be. p. 17
- “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2 p. 37
- Influencers are men and women with a vision that defines their task, brings a new dynamic to their lives, and gives direction and focus to who they are and what they do. p. 38
- “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18 p. 39
- Integrity can be defined as “the steadfast and constant adherence to a moral or an ethical code.” It is also “the state or quality that strives to be complete, free from the corrupting influences of improper motives and methods.” p. 43
- …integrity is conceived in the private world, birthed in the personal world, grows in the professional world, and matures in the public world. p. 48
- Integrity is rooted in the private life we develop when we are alone with God. p. 49
- “The integrity of the upright guides them.” Proverbs 11:3 p. 50
- What we tolerate today, we will have tomorrow. p. 53
- You might be the brightest bulb in the room when it comes to intellect and the most passionate person around when it comes to intensity, but without integrity you will never be a man or woman of influence. p. 54
- The psalmist Asaph wrote of King David that he lived his life and led his people “according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.” Psalm 78:72 p. 60
- If we are going to influence those in our assigned sphere, we must be people who are moved and motivated by a focused purpose in life. p. 62
- No better epitaph could ever be etched in stone than the one the apostle Paul gave to King David:”When David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep.” Acts 13:36 p. 66
- The best way to serve God and those around us is to determine the very purpose for which we were created, the exact purpose for which we exist, and then serve in that capacity. p. 68
- God has a purpose and a plan for each and every one of us. David was confident of that: “You will show m the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11) p. 74
- VIPs are very influential people. They are led by vision that they make sure they get from God. They live with integrity that they make sure is rooted in the secret place of their private lives. And down in the very core of their being, they are moved and motivated by an inner purpose. And the result of vision, integrity, and purpose? Others get caught up in their flow. “May he grant you according to your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your purpose.” (Psalm 20:4). p. 83