The Value of One
Too many times we look for the big ways for God to use us. We want to think that we are getting a bigger crowd at church or in our Bible study. We think that we are blessed spiritually when more are a part of our ministry. Growth in numbers is a sign of effective ministry, but it was never what Jesus focused on.
Jesus was focused on the one. When He compared His ministry to a shepherd andsheep, He told the story about how a shepherd looked for the one lost lamb andleft the ninety-nine. How could he leave them? What drew the shepherd to searchfor that one? Was it because he knew that the ninety-nine had what they needed?They had been provided for by the shepherd. Jesus tells us that our focus inthis lifetime is about going after the one who is lost and showing that one theway home. Luke 15:3-7, “Then Jesus told them 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.” You may not be completely clear about what God is calling you to do. You know He is calling you because His word tells you that he has works for you to do (Ephesians 2:10). One of the most important things that you can do every day is to find a way to help one person. It can even be as simple as giving a cup of water in Jesus’ name (Mark 9:41).
Do you value the one? Do you see the people you interact with as God sees them? Are you aware of how even the simplest things you do impact people? Recently I was riding my bike and passed the entrance of a big church. There was a car ready to pull out. On this ride I had many encounters with various drivers and mutual communication between the drivers and myself of whether to go or not. It was only at the church entrance that I was treated in disdain by a woman driving a luxury car while talking on her cell phone. I could not be sure she would not hit me so I decided to maneuver around the back of her car and she gave me the feeling that she would rather run over me than make me safe. That was so sad to me. I wonder how many unbelievers are being treated that way. Are we as a church doing a worse job than the people in the world? Why don’t we see the one as Jesus sees him or her?
Who might be the one that Jesus wants you to see today? How can you do one thing for one person to make this one day better for that one? There’s another aspect of the value of the one, when you make things better for the one, you will find yourself blessed with God’s love and presence. Who will you bless today?
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