When we look at the sadness in our world, this seems to be the most often asked question:
“What can one person do?”
We’ve all been there. When we see millions of hungry people, what can one person do? When we see national budget deficits, what can one person do? When we see a culture spiraling downward, what can one person do?
When we look at God’s Word, we have concrete examples of what one person can do. Again and again in Scripture, we see the ability of one person to help transform society. Take Lydia for example. She’s barely known but she helped transform the European continent. She became the first convert in Europe (at least from what we know in Acts) and opened her home for the Gospel to be preached. She was a businesswoman who helped fund the ministry of the Paul and the church (Acts 16:14-15).
Look at Elijah and Elisha (2 Kings 2:1-14). In their day, they must have been the most unlikely change agents. Who would have thought that Elijah could have overcome the influence of Ahab, Jezebel, and hundreds of prophets of Baalism? Who could have imagined that Elisha would even surpass the mighty works of Elijah?
How is it that one person such as Elijah or Elisha can make a difference?
First, you have to want to make a difference. This may be the most important feature of making a difference in the world. To make a difference, you have to have a passion to touch your world and bring about positive change. As we see the vision of how things can be, we are encouraged to take on the project and make a difference.
Second, you have to invite God to work alongside of you. When you try to effect change by yourself, you will accomplish what you can accomplish. When you depend on God, you will accomplish what He can do–a big difference!
Third, you have to never give up or give in. Life will be tough. The opposition will be formidable. The person who usually wins is the one who doesn’t quit.
Many people simply quit too early. They are on the verge of doing something significant and simply give in to the pressure or the frustration. Most businesses take years to really pay off. The person who loses hope loses the opportunity to make a difference. It’s the same way in our culture and in the church. I see many pastors leave before they see the fruit of their labor.
You can make a difference today, and you can make a difference for the future. May you have a big vision, devote yourself to our big God, and stay strong though the struggle.
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2 Responses
The Seminary experience was an interesting time. The Cooperative Program in the eighties was being attacked from within. Roger Perkins, a neighbor and MK, had the notion of doing something to feed the hungry on the mission field and in the New Orleans area. I had the inspiration of exercising the concept of the Cooperative Program on Campus to achieve meeting needs on both a physical and spiritual level. I believed in the Micro we could effect and affect the Macro for Christ. I developed the Cans for World Hunger program by introducing formally the concept of the Intentional Bi-Vocational Minister Association to the SBA making the effort an official student project on Campus. Roger faced the Dragon (Administration) getting a dumpster placed on Campus to collect newspapers for the New Orleans Food Bank. We both tried very hard to get others involved in the management and catch the vision. We had the help of the NOBTS Administration to process the funds to keep everything squeaky clean in the trasfer of funds, maintaining a clear paper trail. There is no doubt over the years we administered the project thousands of lives were impacted by our efforts joined by those who “cooperated” with their aluminum cans and newspapers. I learned after we graduated the SBA did not keep up the New Orleans Food Bank collection area, so the site was removed. The can funds were diverted away from world missions to fund on campus gatherings, etc. It was a lot of work and expense for us Chruch mice. I wonder the impact it actually had. I recall the kind clear words of Dr. Bob Simmons, the only one I recall who “got it” and expressed himself to Roger or me. Guess I’ll know when the role is called up Yonder; now I see through a glass darkly. Isaiah 55:11 is my Promise for so many similar efforts.
Interestingly enough I titled my Dad’s Obit.: The Difference of One, T.P., October 1, 1995.
Keep up the Good (God) Work!!!
The previous comment was not about me or Roger or our sweat equity. It was about Christ’s design for His Church. It is about building on the foundation laid by Christ in the lives which went before every Minister of the Gospel. It is about all the Churches I have studied who have faded over time because the “Vision” was lost. It is about Romans Chapter 12 with some emphasis on verses 3,4,5,6 and 21. It is about how thankful I am to see the practice finally, at work in Covington, LA.