ONE

 

Isn’t it beautiful to see the Divine, God’s hand, in our lives using one person, one life, one heart at a time to change one person, one life, one heart at a time? If we think about it, we all experience this in our lives. What a blessing to behold every day. Sometimes we are the one person, one life, one heart at a time that God uses to bless others, and sometimes our lives are the receivers of the special ways God uses one person, one life, one heart at a time.

I received a website comment from someone I did not know personally, but who recently signed up to receive my weekly reflections. Part of what the person said was, “I do agree that the simplest times in our lives are often the most meaningful to us, and though I’ve only been a follower of yours for a very short time, I have really enjoyed your messages. I am very grateful that I saw the article about you in The Tioga County Courier. I hope others decided to look you up after reading that article as well. God bless you!”

 

*A storyteller friend of mine was unable to make his scheduled date for a library engagement and asked me if I would be willing to take his slot.

*I finally accepted the invitation, fighting my feelings of inadequacy and asking for God’s grace to help stretch myself.

*God allowed only an audience of two people for my library share. One is a great supporter of my writing ministry, and the other was there to see the original speaker and did not know about the schedule change.

*Both attendees decided to stay and listen to my talk.

*My friend felt inspired to buy one of my books for the other person who stayed, enabling her to read some of my reflections.

*An email friendship began with the other person and me, and we were reunited at the eventual storytelling event for my good friend.

*This new friend was inspired to write an article for a local newspaper about the storyteller and decided to include some information about my talk as well. What a special blessing that was for me.

*Reading about me in the newspaper is what led the person who wrote the comment on my reflection to sign up for my weekly website reflections.

 

We never know how God will use even the simple, ordinary things we do in this life to further His kingdom. As I often say, it is the wonderful ripple effect of God’s goodness.

 

 

I can’t help but think about how often Jesus, in His interactions, touched one person, one life, one heart at a time.

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.  As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.  “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.  Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.  For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.  In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.  And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.  I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,  and after taking some food, he regained his strength. –Acts 9:1-19 (NIV)

Jesus touched Saul’s life in a mighty way. Saul went from persecuting the early followers of Jesus to being the one who preached about Jesus to the Gentiles, the non-Jewish people. When Jesus touched his life, he went from one extreme to the other, helping to change one person, one life, one heart at a time. Thanks to Saul’s (who was also known as Paul) preaching and sharing the good news of salvation about Jesus, we are part of the kingdom! Ananias did his part in helping to shape the kingdom by restoring Saul’s sight, as the Lord had told him. Ananias touched one person, one life, one heart at a time starting with Saul.

 

A few other examples that you can feel free to read about are:

Jesus talks with the Samaritan woman found in John 4:1-26.

Jesus not only talked to a Samaritan, which was usually forbidden; He talked freely to a Samaritan woman. He knew this woman was living in sin and needed His living water to change her life and her heart to be a new creation. We are led to believe that indeed, she changed her life after encountering Jesus at the well.

 

Jesus heals the man with a withered hand found in Mark 3:1-6.

On the Sabbath, when Jesus went into the synagogue, He saw a man with a withered hand. Jesus changed this man’s life by healing him. This surprised the Pharisees, as they felt it would be unlawful to heal on the holy day. Jesus was very disappointed in their stubborn hearts, which did not want to do good to change someone’s life for the better.

 

Jesus and the adulterous woman found in John 8:1-11.

The Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus, wondering what He would do with her. Jesus pointed out that we are all sinners and that she was no different from them. Jesus encouraged this woman to change her life because of His great love for her. He wants us all to repent and love as He does.

 

 

Be encouraged this week to…

 

…stretch yourself to contact someone you have not heard from in a long time.

…know that God uses you every day to build His kingdom on earth.

…intentionally touch one person, one life, one heart at a time.

 

REFLECTION:

What is one way God used you to encourage one person, one life, one heart?
Who needs you to encourage them today?

 

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. –Philippians 1:6 (NLT)