One or Many?
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Different people are called to different things... some are called to the masses, and some are called to just one or two.
I know I'm designed for small, intimate groups. I've written about this before--I spent several years of my singledom writing to prison inmates. During that time, I sent letters out to probably 300 people over a time span of about 5 years. Some never wrote back, some wrote for a few months, some I knew right away I wasn't called to.
Out of those 300, I was called to one on a long-term basis, and we still keep in touch. I consider him to be one of my closest friends. It was every bit worth the effort. I've had problems with depression all my life... I showed up at some of our visits with cuts going around my arms and ankles. This person talked with me, prayed with and for me, and didn't flinch when I got angry or defensive. Because of what he'd been through, I eventually came to respect what he was trying to tell me and I can say that it's because of his prayers and influences that I don't cut anymore--even though I'd been through many, many years of counseling, antidepressants, church classes, conferences, etc. I was raised in church all my life, but when I tried to tell my pastor's wife about it, she patted me on the shoulder and said, "Oh, my (child's) friend does that too," and sent me on my way as if I hadn't said a word. This is another reason why this inmate made such a difference in my life. He was willing to confront me head-on, even though I told him I hated him at the time and that he could go to hell, for all I cared. That's how much anger I had stuffed away inside. But he kept praying and he didn't give up or ignore my anger.
God didn't choose someone in the everyday church or the field of psychology to make that key difference. He choose this particular inmate. I am fully convinced, not just from being told, but from living, breathing proof in my own life that God can use anyone in any circumstance if they are willing. I often wonder if I would have still been healed had I not met this person... and how many more people out there have a miracle waiting for them, but it's hidden within the heart of a person they'd probably never talk to.
And I hope that someday, God will use me to make that kind of impact on other people's lives as well, even if it's just one person at a time.
I know I'm designed for small, intimate groups. I've written about this before--I spent several years of my singledom writing to prison inmates. During that time, I sent letters out to probably 300 people over a time span of about 5 years. Some never wrote back, some wrote for a few months, some I knew right away I wasn't called to.
Out of those 300, I was called to one on a long-term basis, and we still keep in touch. I consider him to be one of my closest friends. It was every bit worth the effort. I've had problems with depression all my life... I showed up at some of our visits with cuts going around my arms and ankles. This person talked with me, prayed with and for me, and didn't flinch when I got angry or defensive. Because of what he'd been through, I eventually came to respect what he was trying to tell me and I can say that it's because of his prayers and influences that I don't cut anymore--even though I'd been through many, many years of counseling, antidepressants, church classes, conferences, etc. I was raised in church all my life, but when I tried to tell my pastor's wife about it, she patted me on the shoulder and said, "Oh, my (child's) friend does that too," and sent me on my way as if I hadn't said a word. This is another reason why this inmate made such a difference in my life. He was willing to confront me head-on, even though I told him I hated him at the time and that he could go to hell, for all I cared. That's how much anger I had stuffed away inside. But he kept praying and he didn't give up or ignore my anger.
God didn't choose someone in the everyday church or the field of psychology to make that key difference. He choose this particular inmate. I am fully convinced, not just from being told, but from living, breathing proof in my own life that God can use anyone in any circumstance if they are willing. I often wonder if I would have still been healed had I not met this person... and how many more people out there have a miracle waiting for them, but it's hidden within the heart of a person they'd probably never talk to.
And I hope that someday, God will use me to make that kind of impact on other people's lives as well, even if it's just one person at a time.
Yeah, that was kind of why I made it a poll. I'm curious to see how the numbers compare.
The God I know promises to leave the herd to tend to the one lost sheep. And yet, he is capable of doing that and still nurturing the flock.
I've always been more driven to developing very personal relationships with the people i'm reaching out to, and/or supporting. However, it seems like I look around and it seems like everyone is giving much more generally.
Most immediately, I am kind of struggling with the fact that i know some people who need some help/support, and yet I know that there are lots of people out there with far less than the people I am helping/supporting. How can I help 'sam' go to bible college when I know that there are many john and jane do's out there that are starving?
Tying this all in with the direction that the "understanding love" thread took also, is it better to work towards a utopia by building up a few benevolent providers, or is it better to work toward a utopia by building up both benevolent and potentially malevolent people to all be at the same level?
The God I know promises to leave the herd to tend to the one lost sheep. And yet, he is capable of doing that and still nurturing the flock.
I've always been more driven to developing very personal relationships with the people i'm reaching out to, and/or supporting. However, it seems like I look around and it seems like everyone is giving much more generally.
Most immediately, I am kind of struggling with the fact that i know some people who need some help/support, and yet I know that there are lots of people out there with far less than the people I am helping/supporting. How can I help 'sam' go to bible college when I know that there are many john and jane do's out there that are starving?
Tying this all in with the direction that the "understanding love" thread took also, is it better to work towards a utopia by building up a few benevolent providers, or is it better to work toward a utopia by building up both benevolent and potentially malevolent people to all be at the same level?
R
Things are confusing for me now, and I tend to be an introvert, so at this time in my life, definitely one person at a time.
Though I am open to it being different someday if I find my true calling and it turns out I do otherwise.
But in the meantime, I know I can't handle the energy it takes maintaining a lot of acquaintanceships.
So I didn't vote either one.
Though I am open to it being different someday if I find my true calling and it turns out I do otherwise.
But in the meantime, I know I can't handle the energy it takes maintaining a lot of acquaintanceships.
So I didn't vote either one.
--&--
Small difference in many peoples' lives.
But I would be taking my chances that, with God, I would be making a HUGE difference in many lives.
Personally, I like those odds.
Small difference in many peoples' lives.
But I would be taking my chances that, with God, I would be making a HUGE difference in many lives.
Personally, I like those odds.
God can take anything and make a HUGE difference in many lives.
define:justification
something that shows an action to be reasonable or necessary
In this case he was justifying his opinion via a weak argument.
As previously mentioned, I don't currently hold a strong position one way or the other on this topic. I have no problem with anyone supporting either the "one" or the "many" position. I wasn't name calling or putting anyone down, I wasn't being "not nice", but was simply pointing out a weak argument.
something that shows an action to be reasonable or necessary
In this case he was justifying his opinion via a weak argument.
As previously mentioned, I don't currently hold a strong position one way or the other on this topic. I have no problem with anyone supporting either the "one" or the "many" position. I wasn't name calling or putting anyone down, I wasn't being "not nice", but was simply pointing out a weak argument.
I'm thinking many people, small influence. Hopefully living my life unto God, is a witness to many around me. For some of those people it may be a bigger influence than I will ever know.
Do you find yourself spending a lot of time out in the world?
Do you spend a lot of time thinking about how you can be a better witness to those around you?
K
Thank you for sharing! Without a doubt, we are all witnesses to those around us.
Do you find yourself spending a lot of time out in the world?
Do you spend a lot of time thinking about how you can be a better witness to those around you?
Do you find yourself spending a lot of time out in the world?
Do you spend a lot of time thinking about how you can be a better witness to those around you?
I use to pray and ask God to help me be a better witness to people. It was something I really desired to do. I always thought that sharing about the Lord was the only way to witness to people and I'm not necessarily someone who would do that unless I felt lead to. It wasn't until not too long ago that the Lord showed me that the biggest way I can witness to people, is simply living my life unto Him. I think that is incredible. So now my goal/focus is a bit different; I want to serve God and in doing that the bonus is others will most likely be watching. God can the speak to them through that.