There are lots of sayings about the number one, some not so positive. “There’s one in every crowd!” “One is the loneliest number!” Being “one of those people” is not always a good thing. The number one suggests seclusion, separation, even being an outcast.
Do you ever feel like “one of those people”? No matter how much we try to fit in, even in a crowd, there are times when we can feel so lonely. But as a child of God, we shouldn’t, because we are never alone. Deuteronomy 31:8 promises, “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you, nor forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.”
Today’s woman captures the attention of the Lord of the Universe, not because of who she is but because of Who He is. The power that draws Him to her is His great love for her. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Each one matters to the Lord. In Luke 15:4-7, Jesus told this parable, “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Jesus the Great Shepherd loves us so much that He gave His one life to give each one of us everlasting life in Heaven with Him. He is a One-on-one kind of Lord. God used one man, Noah, to save mankind from extinction. He used one man, Abraham, to become the “father of a nation”. He used one woman, Esther, to save a nation. And He used one woman, Mary, to be the mother of Jesus.
But, how can I make a difference in the world? After all I am just “one”.
The good news is that all it takes is ”one”. Andrew Jackson once said, “One man with courage makes a majority.”
Could it be that God is looking for just “one”? One willing to do something in the face of adversity? One with courage? One to take a stand? One to make a difference even if it’s only to one other person?
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”
The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”
“Son,” the man said, “Don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.” —The Starfish Story by Loren Eisley
Helen Keller once said, “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”
Recently, my friend, Pastor Buckshot Avant, spoke at our revival. He touched my heart with a life-changing statement. He said, “When you wake up each morning, ask the Lord, ‘What can I do for You today, Lord?’” Since that night, I have applied it to my life. Oh, what a difference it has made! Why not give it a try? It only takes one to change the world. Be the one.
Dear Lord: Thank You that You loved us so much that You sent Your only Son Jesus to die for us. Give us boldness to take a stand for You. Use us to be Your hands and Your feet. Each of us might not be able to do it all but each one of us can do something. Please lead us to make a difference for You. Amen
1 Corinthians 12:27 says, “You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
Has God used you to make a difference in someone’s life? Or has He used one person to make a difference in your life? Please share your comments, thoughts and experiences.
Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. May God bless you and lead you to be the ONE who changes the world.
Very powerful and true. Thank you for this reminder Sharon!! I hope I can do this everyday, “Lord, what would you have me do for YOU today?”
Thank you, Dale, for your sweet note. That has made a difference for me. What a blessing we receive when we put Him first. Have a blessed rest of the week!
Oh what a lovely message this week. I love the quotes you used, especially Andrew Jackson’s quote: One man (or woman) with courage is still a majority.
That speaks to my heart — As a Christian woman who is growing in our walk with Christ, it is easy at times to feel like you are all alone, that you are only one person shoveling into the wind.
I choose to be like the boys on the beach … to courageously every day FOCUS on the ONE to save, the ONE to help, the ONE to encourage — as for that ONE person, it means everything.
Thanks!!!
Thank you, Cathy, for your note and for your enthusiasm. I am so glad we have a one-on-one Lord, and that He rescued each of us, one by one. Love you, Friend!