The Power of One


Only you can make this world seem right.
Only you can make the darkness bright.
--The Platters


Sometimes it all feels like it’s just too much, doesn’t it? When we have one of those days (or weeks) that feels overwhelming, between job demands, political craziness and worldwide angst, we can feel total insignificant. Worthless. Unimportant.

And of course, feeling that way only makes us feel even worse.

But time and time again, throughout history, it has been shown that while there may be safety in numbers, the true power of change lies in the courage of individuals who are willing to speak up and take a stand, even when it’s an unpopular one.

Language lesson: that word courage has, at its root, the French word coeur, which means heart. Think about it: while the brain allows us to process, to think, to do, it’s the heart that keeps the life-giving blood circulating, enabling everything else to happen. Once you come to understand the direction your heart is leading you, take courage and follow. Listen to your heart.

Others may come on board—or not. It really doesn’t matter. You have the Power of the Most High, the seed of the Imago Dei planted in you. This is the way God works to bring God’s Kingdom of Love into the world.

(How can you make a difference? This week, a few suggestions.)

Monday Believe in your power to transform indifference into love. How will you show the world you care? Psalm 8:4

Tuesday Believe you have an amazing gift to keep hope alive in the face of despair. Offer a prayer today for someone who is struggling. Isaiah 40:30-31

Wednesday Believe you have the remarkable skill of deleting bitterness from your life. Pray today for the courage to forgive someone who has hurt you. Thank God for the peace that will follow. Exodus 34:6-7

Thursday Believe in your budding potential to live with a nonviolent heart. Is there a human rights issue about which you are passionate? Consider contacting your congressional representative and making your passion known. James 3:17-18

Friday Believe in your passion to speak the truth, even when it isn’t popular. Sometimes as Christians we fall silent. Today, pray for conviction to speak truth—in love. Zechariah 8:16-17

Saturday Believe you have the strength of will to be peace in a world of violence. Offer words of peace. Matthew 5:9

Sunday Believe in your miraculous capacity to give—and receive—unconditional love. Greet someone with reckless abandon this morning. Luke 10:25-37

If you think you’re too small to make a difference, 
you have never spent a night with a mosquito. –African proverb

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