Making the Best of Your Sphere of Influence

This week on Founders' Friday, I want to talk about our "sphere of influence." We all have one. As I read and studied about which person to feature, I learned that today's patriot, Richard Henry Lee, was a person who helped greatly in the founding of our country. He was born into an aristocratic family in Virginia. His parents sent him to school in Yorkshire, England. I've been to Yorkshire--it's beautiful! In fact, here is a picture of me standing in the gardens of a house we had hoped to tour. It was closed the day we were there but beautiful outside, nonetheless. I seem to remember that George Washington visited there or had something to do with the house. So although I doubt it's the same place where Richard Henry Lee went to school, it does give you a bit of the English atmosphere he would have encountered in his youth.

During his school years Richard Henry Lee learned to love history (Hooray! Don't downplay the importance of that!) and especially enjoyed the study of the ancient republics. The love of this subject matter grounded him in thoughts of freedom and representative government.

At about age 20 he formed a military corps and was elected commander.He became a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses at around age 25. He was involved in numerous other political offices and endeavors. Since Richard's brother ,Arthur Lee, lived in London and had connections with many important people in government, he furnished him with much correct intelligence concerning the British Parliament This kept him informed of the British attitude and devices against the colonies. This too, was a matter of seeing one's position in life and making the best of it, it seems to me!

As well as being the person that introduced the resolutions to separate completely from England, Richard Henry Lee was a signer of of the Declaration of Independence and was chosen as the first Senator from Virginia under the new Federal Constitution.

History tells us that he was a Christian and dearly loved by his family. He had several children and died at age 64.


Richard Henry Lee influenced others from his station in life to affect change. He is different than some of the heroes we have highlighted in the last few weeks since he was born into privilege. But it doesn't matter where you are placed, you can be an influence for good. The Bible features many examples of such people. Some of them include Moses, Esther, and Joseph. All three of these people used their circumstances as a springboard for positive change. Moses was born into the family of slaves but through a turn of events ended up in the palace where he could best influence the plight of his countrymen--but not before he experienced a major encounter with God! Joseph used even his time in prison to minister to others, eventually saving two nations through his faithfulness. Esther, though she may not have chosen the unusual path she found herself traveling,she too used her circumstances to save her people.

What can you do today in your sphere of influence to affect your nation? If we all had that mindset, we would probably see more patriots arising out of both privileged and obscure places. Think about it--what is your sphere of influence? Your job? Your church? Your neighborhood? Your family? Be an influencer for truth and righteousness--you may one day be called a patriot!