The Power of One

"For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister." - Hebrews 6:10

There are times when a Christian can feel like they aren't really making an impact for the Kingdom of God, where they question their worth as an ambassador for Christ, especially in light of what they see other Christians being used to do.  Maybe you are a person called to ministry but have been waiting (perhaps even for a long time) for that chance to do full time ministry as a pastor or missionary.  Maybe you feel you "just" work a normal job and are merely surviving in this world of bills and appointments and therefore aren't productive in the Kingdom.

If you simply don't care about service, this blog isn't for you - feel free to stop reading now.  For all others, I want to encourage you to think about the power of one.

One person can make a huge difference to the world and I'm not talking about the one person like a Billy Graham, Francis Chan, Greg Laurie, or any other well known pastor or evangelist.  I am talking about a person like you.  You may say, "What do you mean?  I do not/will not have a huge following or get to speak to large crowds like those guys.  How can I make a huge difference?"  Because it only takes you ministering to others in whatever capacity God has you.

Ever hear of Modeccai Ham?  Before you Google him let me save you the time.  He did revival meetings across North Carolina and at one of the revivals he preached, Billy Graham came to know Christ.  You may not know Mr. Ham's name, but God does and God used one person to lead a man to Christ who would go on to lead thousands to the Lord. (and of course, there were others along the way that planted seeds in the mind/heart of Billy Graham).

Jim Elliot is a name you probably know because of his matyrdom in Equador.  By his life he may not have changed many lives, but by his death (and those of his team), he has inspired many to be missionaries which has impacted thousands of souls for Christ.  And Mr. Elliot's life was shaped by a few unnamed men that encouraged him to live for Christ whose names we don't know but God does.

Francis Chan has helped to influence, encourage and embolden many Christians through his books and teachings, but he was encouraged and shaped by those in youth ministry, nameless individuals we don't know but who had major impacts in his life.

I certainly am not anything close to being known by multitudes (nor desire it), but I know the Lord has used me to speak at multiple churches in multiple countries and has used me to minister to the saints.  I am where I am because one man, Pastor Hank Brooks, took me under his wing when I was only 17 and poured into me and discipled me for ministry.  Without his initial influence, I would not be where I am today.  And he gets to share in the fruits of what God has done from using me because he took time to minister to me.  One man.

For every man who is seen in the spotlight being used by the Lord are men and women who are unknown by us but who made impacts on these "spotlighted people".  There are testimonies of men and women whom the Lord has used that were given a gospel tract on the street and went on to be saved, even though they don't know who the man/woman was who gave them the tract.  Pastor Pasha in Vladimir, Russia came to the Lord because he found a poster/invitation to a Christian rock concert on the ground, a poster that probably been dropped by someone who was given it by a short-term missionary.  Pasha was saved at that concert and now pastors the church in Vladimir.

Just because you do not feel like you are being used or fruitful does not mean it is true.  If you are seeking to serve the Lord, then you do not know the impact your life may be having (or has had) on those around you.  The Lord may not allow you to see the fruits of your labor until you are with Him.  But your life can have a huge impact - keep serving and don't let the lack of seen fruit be the indicator to whether you are "successful" or not.

The Power of One can be immense - keep pressing on!

It's Just One More Wall

"It shall come to pass, when they make a long [blast] with the ram's horn, [and] when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him." - Joshua 6:5

I've always loved the account of Joshua and the fall of Jericho.  Against a seeming impenetrable wall, God gives Joshua a command that no battle strategist would ever suggest - simply march around the city once a day for six days and on the seventh day, march around the city seven times while the priests blow trumpets and then at the end they will make a long blast, you will shout and the walls will come down.  Joshua lets the people know, we see no mention of anyone complaining or questioning the decision beforehand or during any of the days. Sure enough, in Joshua 6:20 we see it happened simply as God said would happen.

It was no problem for God, because to the God of the whole universe, it was merely a wall much like your child's building blocks are to us for knocking down.

To the people, it may have seemed like a huge deal.  Before God gave the plan to Joshua, perhaps they wondered how exactly they could conquer the city.  But then they got the battle instructions laid out by the Lord and there was no questioning for they knew that God could do anything - they simply had to obey His instructions.

Perhaps you're at a place today where something lay in front of you that seems impenetrable and you have no idea how to get around it, over it, through it or bring it down.  It may be the weight of an unexpected bill or expense that just came, a person whose goal in life is to bring you down, an addiction you can't seem to shake or a step of faith you know you need to take but have no clue how it will all work out.  Have you taken it to the Lord and sought His advice?  Because for Him, it's just one more wall.  Don't let yourself lose sleep or be dismayed or discouraged - hope in the Lord and let Him fight for you.

And the glorious hope that we know will come to pass will be the end of Satan's rule as prince of the power of the air.  One day soon too he will fall because afterall, he's just one more wall!

Author's note: For further encouragement, check out the song "One More Wall" by Apologetix, which provided the inspiration for this post.