How to Leverage Your Influence for Lasting Impact in Midlife

How can I use my influence to make a positive impact in midlife?

In midlife, our influence might not be as obvious as it once was, but it can be more powerful than ever. Esther 7:1-10 shows us that influence doesn’t need to be loud to make a difference. Like Esther, we can use wisdom, patience, and discernment to create change in our families, workplaces, and communities. Esther’s story teaches us that God can use our positions—whether big or small—for His purpose, and that our influence in midlife is crucial to positively impacting the world around us.

In our modern world, influence seems to be measured by how many followers you have, how many “likes” you can collect, or how often you go viral. But if we take a cue from the Bible—particularly from Esther—we learn that influence has little to do with popularity or recognition. Instead, it’s about using wisdom, discernment, and sometimes, a whole lot of patience. Esther’s story is proof that even in the shadows, with the odds stacked against us, we can be part of God’s grand plan to make a difference. Her quiet courage, strategic thinking, and the way she used her position to save her people shows us that influence doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. And that’s something we need to remember in midlife when our roles and stages may look different, but our potential to impact remains as strong as ever.

Scripture: Esther 7:1-10 (ESV)

7 So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther. 2 And on the second day, as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king again said to Esther, “What is your wish, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” 3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be granted me for my wish, and my people for my request. 4 For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have been silent, for our affliction is not to be compared with the loss to the king.” 5 Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who has dared[a] to do this?” 6 And Esther said, “A foe and enemy! This wicked Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen.

Haman Is Hanged

7 And the king arose in his wrath from the wine-drinking and went into the palace garden, but Haman stayed to beg for his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that harm was determined against him by the king. 8 And the king returned from the palace garden to the place where they were drinking wine, as Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was. And the king said, “Will he even assault the queen in my presence, in my own house?” As the word left the mouth of the king, they covered Haman’s face. 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, “Moreover, the gallows[b] that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, is standing at Haman’s house, fifty cubits[c] high.” And the king said, “Hang him on that.” 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the wrath of the king abated.

The Power of Influence

Esther’s story is one of wisdom, patience, and influence. She didn’t have an Instagram following or a podcast, yet her impact was immeasurable. Esther’s influence saved an entire people, and the way she used it can teach us a lot about how we wield our own in midlife—whether it’s at work, at home, or even in those volunteer meetings where things can get a little testy.

Esther wasn’t a woman who flaunted her influence, nor did she rush into action. She waited for the right moment, approached the king with respect, and laid out her case with clarity. Esther knew she couldn’t control the king’s actions, but she could control her own approach. She leveraged her position and connection with Xerxes to turn the tide for her people, the Jews.

In midlife, many of us find ourselves at a crossroads—careers might be plateauing, kids are growing up, and we’re reevaluating what our roles mean. Like Esther, we may not be in the spotlight, but we’ve gathered experience, knowledge, and yes, influence. It’s easy to feel as if our power is diminishing, but God shows us through Esther that our position—however small it seems—can make a massive difference.

A Historical Lens

Esther’s influence didn’t come from a place of privilege alone. Historically, Persia was a vast empire that spanned from India to Ethiopia, filled with diverse peoples and religions. Esther, a Jewish woman, found herself in a world where Jews were marginalized, and the king wasn’t exactly known for his rational decision-making. It took strategy and discernment for Esther to maneuver through this political maze.

At this point in her story, Esther has already spent time fasting and praying for God’s guidance. Her banquet wasn’t just a social event—it was a carefully orchestrated opportunity. Esther’s ability to wait for the right moment shows a level of patience and self-control that we rarely see in today’s immediate gratification culture. Let’s be honest: how many of us would have blown up the whole plan by acting too quickly? Esther didn’t. She knew timing was everything.

Esther’s Influence and Midlife

For those of us in midlife, it’s easy to think we’ve passed our prime when it comes to making an impact. We’ve raised kids, climbed some rungs of the corporate ladder, and checked off a few bucket-list items. But Esther reminds us that God uses every season of our life to influence those around us. Maybe you’re not standing before a king, but you’re influencing your community, family, or workplace in ways you might not even realize.

Esther’s influence wasn’t loud, but it was mighty. In the same way, we can exercise patience and discernment, using our accumulated wisdom to make intentional moves. We’re not rushing to prove ourselves; we’re standing firm, waiting for the right moments.

Midlife is also a time when we reflect on our values and what we want our legacy to be. Are we using our influence for good, or are we simply coasting along? Esther challenges us to use our positions—whether big or small—with wisdom and courage.

Key Takeaways

1. Influence is subtle, but it’s powerful. Like Esther, we don’t need to be the loudest in the room to make the biggest impact. Sometimes, quiet courage and patient action speak volumes.
2. Timing is everything. Esther could have acted impulsively, but she didn’t. In midlife, we’ve learned (often the hard way) that timing can make or break our efforts.
3. God uses every position for His purposes. Whether we’re leading a company or managing a household, God can use our influence for His glory. It’s not about the size of the stage, but about being faithful where we are.
4. Don’t underestimate your influence in this season. Midlife isn’t a time to fade into the background; it’s a time to leverage the wisdom we’ve gathered and use it to uplift those around us.

Graceful Reflection

1. How are you using your influence in this season of life? Consider your roles—whether at work, in your family, or in your community. Are you intentional about the influence you wield?
2. What opportunities do you have to use your influence for good? Reflect on areas where you might be able to make a difference but haven’t yet stepped up.
3. Are you rushing to action, or are you waiting for God’s perfect timing? Think about situations where you might be acting too quickly without fully discerning God’s will.

Action Steps

1. Take inventory of your influence. Write down the areas of your life where you have influence, no matter how small they seem. Identify ways you can use that influence for good this week.
2. Pray for discernment. Ask God to give you wisdom and patience in using your influence, especially in situations that feel overwhelming or out of your control.
3. Start small. Influence doesn’t have to be grand. Send an encouraging message, make a decision that benefits others, or step up in a situation where you’ve previously held back.

Closing Thoughts and Wrap-up

As we close out this week of exploring influence, we see how Esther’s story is about more than just saving her people—it’s about trusting God’s timing, using our positions wisely, and recognizing that we have power, even when it doesn’t feel like it. God placed Esther where she was “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14), and He does the same with us.

As you reflect on Esther’s actions, consider how God is calling you to step into your influence. Whether it’s in your family, your workplace, or even within yourself—this season is full of opportunities for impact.

Remember, God often places us in specific circumstances not for our glory but for His. And, as we see in Esther’s story, He can take even the smallest act of influence and use it for something far greater.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that our influence, no matter how small it seems, can be used for Your purposes. Help us to trust Your timing, act with wisdom, and use the positions You’ve placed us in to make a difference in the lives of others. Give us the discernment to know when to act and the courage to step into our influence with grace and humility. Amen.

Closing Thoughts and Wrap-up

As we reflect on Esther’s story and the power of influence, it becomes clear that God’s hand is at work in every aspect of our lives, even when we don’t see it. Esther’s influence was not about status or recognition, but about being in the right place, at the right time, and having the courage to act when it mattered most. In midlife, we may feel like we’re in a quieter chapter of our lives, but this season is full of potential for impactful decisions and meaningful influence. Whether we are nurturing relationships, guiding our families, serving in our communities, or simply making everyday choices with integrity, God can use us in remarkable ways. As we close this week of study, let’s carry with us the reminder that our influence—no matter how big or small—is part of God’s bigger plan. Just as Esther’s quiet actions led to the salvation of her people, our faithful steps can lead to profound change in our own lives and in the lives of those around us.

Until tomorrow, friends!  Stay blessed, stay joyful, and keep Soaring By Grace!