I’m a planner … a project manager … I set goals and work toward achieving those goals. I had the subject of this week’s blog post all planned out, then … Something happened. Maybe it was the continued stories of revival in our land. Maybe it was the testimony I heard. Whatever it was, I dropped all my planning and am focused on the power of one.
“The Power of One” is the theory that one person can change the future, that one person’s actions can actually change the lives of many. I believe this, I’ve witnessed this, I’ve been affected by this.
Throughout history there are countless stories how one person created movements or changed the course of history. John Newton (who wrote “Amazing Grace”), William Wilberforce (who helped stop slavery in the British Empire), William Booth (who founded The Salvation Army) … I could go on and on.
Let’s take Mordecai Ham, for instance. You may have never heard of him. He was an itinerant evangelist in the early 1900’s, who preached wherever he was called, holding revivals every week. Like all good evangelists, he would give an altar call at the end of his sermons. I’m certain he faced many discouragements, but he was called to preach and preach he did.
Then in 1934 on the second night of a revival in Charlotte, North Carolina, a young teenager accepted Ham’s altar call and gave his life to Christ. What a life it was -- Billy Graham would preach to more people around the world than anyone in history. It’s impossible to estimate how many millions accepted Christ during one of the Billy Graham Crusades.
Then there’s Nick Vujicic who was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of arms and legs. As a teenager, Nick will tell you he wanted to commit suicide, not believing he could ever be of use in this world without arms and legs. Then Jesus showed up. Today Nick is a dynamic evangelist and speaker heading up Life Without Limbs Ministries. He is married with four children.
He shares his inspirational story of faith, hope, and triumph in the midst of adversity. Nick is able to connect with people from all walks of life, and sense of humor that captivates people of all ages, he empowers millions of people worldwide! I’ve met Nick and he always has an infectious smile on his face.
Each one of us has the power of one to impact someone who crosses our path. You and I can share hope and strength to everyone we know. Can one life change the world? One life already has.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) Debby Efurd is co-founder of Cary John Efurd Ministries of Pittsburg, TX. She has been a contributor to Bound for Life and written numerous articles published in LifeNews, Christian Post and the Baptist Standard, and is the author of Go Tell It! Visit her blog, The Second Mile, at www. debbyefurd.com and contact her by email ([email protected]).
