This thought passed through my thinking as I was attending a meeting recently. We sometimes forget that -1- can make a tremendous statement. Now… apply this to you and what you do and say (and don’t). I’ve heard it said that it really isn’t all that important since it was only me (1). Not true. Sometimes -1- can be even more effective than a group.
Let me give a few examples. Jesus. He was only 1. Yes, He did draw others to Him and the increase made an incredible statement. But… it began with 1. Look at the Old Testament prophets – many of them were an ‘only 1’ and one can’t say they didn’t have tremendous impact. It is true that sometimes they had an assistant/one who they were mentoring to take their place… but I suspect they began alone.
[Slight rabbit trail: if you are in leadership and you haven’t begun mentoring someone to fill your shoes once you aren’t involved any longer… if what you are doing is important then having a replacement is crucial. End of sermon.]
I think the important point is WHY don’t you think your 1 isn’t important? You don’t see your affect on anyone or thing? Remember the parable about the sower? That’s what he did – he sowed. Farmers, I believe, understand this. Not every seed will bring a harvest for a variety of reasons. But if that’s where you’re focused – you are definitely focused on the wrong thing/person. Your eyes should be on the thing/person. That’s what is now.
Back to the sower… you really don’t know if your words, behaviors are making an impact because you reallllly don’t know the state of the person you are talking to – what they are going through, how they listen, etc. If what you are sharing is important (and salvation is everything) then again – wrong focus. You don’t bring the increase – God does (1 Corinthians 3:7). In modern day parlance – you do your thing and let God do His.
Back to the sower… looking at 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 we read Paul talking about planting, watering, harvesting. We never know the impact of our words. Let me illustrate by a simple example: if there was no word planted… what’s the use in watering dirt? if there was a seed planted but it never was watered… what do you think will happen to that seed? And if there is a seed… and if it was watered… why would we not harvest?
One (1) has great value whichever place in the process you enter. The value is definitely there in the doing.
