“I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments.” (Daniel 3:15a NLT)
If you had to choose one thing that has had the most impact on your life, for good or ill, what would it be?
Think of the power of one lie. You knew the second it left your mouth it was a BIG mistake. Or that one kiss that changed your life forever. Or that one date, when you thought all hope was lost. Or that one job, when you feared it didn’t exist. Or that one relationship that changed the trajectory of your whole life. Or that one word that so resonated in your heart and mind. Or that one last chance that, like Daniel, could mean the end of your life either literally or figuratively. Or that one person who came into your life at just the right time.
There have been many ways my life has been impacted over the years, but without question the most significant “one” in my life is the moment I made the decision to yield my life and allegiance to Jesus. He’s changed my life in ways I never dreamed possible.
Early in my ministry I came across a quote that said: “Leaders are readers!” That has stuck with me, so I always have books that I’m reading or perusing. I came across this thought in Larry Crabb’s book Connecting. He wrote: “…the gospel of Christ connects us to God, to ourselves, and to others; it places something alive and wonderful in our forgiven hearts that bridges the gap of separateness and joins us in life-bearing union. We now have something to give that has the power to change the entire course of someone else’s existence.”
Have you ever paused long enough to consider what picture Paul was painting in Colossians 1:27 when he said: “For God wanted them (us) to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret (mystery): Christ lives in you. This gives assurance of sharing His glory.” “Riches” as it’s used here can mean literal wealth, but more importantly points to the fulness, the abundance, the enrichment that is given us when Jesus is our Lord and Master.
So, what do we do with our abundance of “wealth?” The very next verse spells it out: “So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us.”
C.T. Studd, the British Missionary wrote: “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.” The most important Person to ever step foot on planet earth is Jesus, God’s one and only Son. It only takes one moment for Him to speak life into a person’s heart who is open and willing to allow it. That one moment can set us on a course to heaven that, by God’s grace, will, one step at a time, intersect our lives with thousands of people, one person at a time.
The theme of our lives, as Jesus-followers, should be the heart cry of Private Desmond Doss (Hacksaw Ridge), who as a conscientious objector, refused to carry a weapon, but saved more than seventy men who had been wounded, from certain death. After he lowered each soldier by rope down to safety, with his hands bleeding and raw, he would pray, “Give me one more, Lord, give me one more.”
Is that the cry of your heart? That’s what motivates me to write these posts. I pray everyday for you who read these words, that if you know Jesus, you will tell someone about Him. But if you don’t yet know Him, please don’t wait one more second. Heaven is wonderful and I can’t wait to see what it’s like. But the real Treasure is knowing and loving Jesus. If you miss Him, you’ve missed everything. Please don’t miss this opportunity to meet Him. We never know when it will be the last one.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 