Today's TFTD starts with a story from www.Christianitytoday.com. I am re-telling it because I think many Christians- yes, that includes me! - sometime fail to appreciate the value of serving just one. If we're not "changing the world," we are tempted to believe that our efforts are wasted, or that we need not serve wholeheartedly. Grayson's story inspires! His idea that is changing many lives was born because he let himself be touched by the need of one! Take a look.
Grayson Rosenberger, 15, often asked God where he fit into his parents' work with prosthetic patients in Africa. His mother lost both legs as a result of a car accident. To provide hope to others with this same setback and share Christ, Grayson's parents founded a non-profit organization called Standing with Hope. But how could Grayson fit in?
After one of their trips to Africa, Grayson's parents told him about Daniel, a boy his age. "He broke his leg playing soccer and had to have it amputated," Grayson said. "Standing with Hope could only afford to give him a basic metal-rod prosthetic leg. The kids always teased him and he wanted a cosmetic covering. But they're so expensive that even some Americans can't afford them." Hearing of Daniel's experience, Grayson wanted to somehow invent a low-cost cosmetic covering for prosthetics. So, when Grayson heard about Sealed Air Corporation's Bubble Wrap Invention Competition, he came up with a crazy idea. He wrapped a prosthetic rod with bubble wrap and then used heat to mold it into the shape of a leg. With a colored stocking pulled over the Bubble wrap, the leg is very realistic looking. And it only cost $15 instead of the $1,000 or more a cosmetic leg covering would normally cost. Grayson won the contest's $10,000 prize.
Last June, (2007) Grayson and his parents traveled to Ghana, Africa, to fit amputees with new legs. He was excited to meet Daniel and give him the invention he helped inspire. But when the Rosenbergers arrived at the Ghana clinic, doctors told them Daniel had died from malaria just a few weeks earlier. "My heart sank," Grayson said. "But I knew God had called me there for a reason." Grayson refit Daniel's leg for another boy. "Someone will walk because of Daniel," Grayson said. "As I put the boy's leg together, I envisioned Daniel."
For 10 days, Grayson, his parents, and other staff worked 10 to 13 hours a day. The Rosenbergers fit 25 people with brand new legs. They also trained clinic workers to build Grayson's invention. "We had some long days," Grayson said. "But I had the best job on the production line. I got to put the end piece on the leg and watch people walk on two legs." http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/2008/001/27.11.html
"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin." (Zechariah 4:10, NLT)
Disciple, Jesus values individuals! Sure there are the BIG moments in the Gospels: feeding five thousand with five loaves of bread and two small fish, preaching the Sermon on the Mount in the meadow overlooking Galilee- but most of Jesus' work was done one to one! He was never too busy for one - young, old, poor, sick, lonely. Rescuing humanity was the core of His mission during the Incarnation and yet, He always had time for one!
Do you? Would you take time for a long conversation with one person today who needed you to listen? Would you write a note, make a phone call, or give a $20 bill to just one this week? Even after the Resurrection, in His glory, He had time for one; Simon Peter, the failed disciple. Jesus traveled to Galilee to find him, made breakfast for him on the beach, and offered him the opportunity to renew his commitment and find forgiveness- for just one!
Does one person matter to you? He does to the Lord. Take this word from the Word with you today. Let the Spirit lead you to so that you know the joy of serving, even just one!
Jesus told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." (Luke 15:3-7, NIV)
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Each one, can reach one, as we follow after Christ.
We all can lead one, We can lead one to the Savior.
Then together, we can tell the world, that Jesus is the way.
If we each one, reach one.
The message is unchanging, "Go ye into all the world.
And share the love of Jesus, Far away or door to door.
Just like somebody told you, That Jesus loves you so.
You must tell someone, Who will tell someone,
Until the whole world knows.
So will you go and labor?
Will you hold high your light?
One by one, and two by two,
We can win our world
For Jesus Christ!
Each One, Reach One
Babbie Mason © 1990 Word Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055
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