ROSCOMMON, MI – Can one person make a difference? Back in the early 90’s when I was an intern on staff with a church in Florida (my birthplace), I met regularly with Associate Pastors who would speak into my life and mentor me. During this time, I also became engaged to my forever sweetheart (now 23 years married). In one of our weekly meetings one of my pastor friends shared this statement with me - “What’s more important, your rights or the relationship”. Wow, what a thought, especially as I was about to be a husband! That one statement has replayed itself in my mind continuously over the years of marriage and ministry.
A constant guide and reminder that people are more important than my personal selfish agenda. I have discovered in 20 plus years of ministry that it is easy to get consumed with numbers, programming, outcomes, budgets and forget that God’s heart is for people therefore so should mine. Amazingly, that one statement has replayed itself in my mind on many occasions to keep my perspective correctly focused. So, the answer is yes! One person can make a difference.
It’s easy to believe you are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. However, please understand you were created by God for a specific purpose and impact in this life in this world and God does not scheme. God is not playing games with us. This is real life with eternity in the balance. God has placed you right where you are to impact those around you with the love and life of Christ.
Nevertheless, in case you still doubt your significance, and the impact you can have on the world, let me give you a few of my favorite examples:
Moses - speech impediment yet led a nation to freedom
Gideon - Led an army of 300 to defeat an army of thousands
David - Sheep herder who defeated a giant
Mary - Young virgin who believed by faith she was to give birth to Jesus (the son of God)
Saul - Killed Christians yet called by God to be Paul and be a missionary
George Washington - Led a country to freedom over tyranny
Winston Churchill - Leader of Great Britain during World War Two
Bill Gates - Founder of Microsoft
Steve Jobs - Transformed the music industry
Rosa Parks - campaigned and fought against segregation and racism
Neil Armstrong - walked on the moon
Obviously, this list is just some of my favorites and it could go on and on. History is packed full of people who impacted their community and the world. God uses folks of all shapes and sizes to achieve His purposes. Your shape and your size are included in His plans.
This article is simply a reminder to you and me of how important our witness is in this hopeless culture. It’s a reminder of the “Power of One”. That’s one person (you/me) impacting one other person who impacts another person and so on and so on. May we not be content with living our lives just for our own glory and satisfaction - let’s live every day with a Kingdom mindset, on a Kingdom mission for Kingdom glory!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mick Schatz serves on the staff of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. He is the State Director of Spiritual Enrichment and Retreats and lives at Bambi Lake.