Daily Devotional for October 29, 2021 – Recognize the power of one – and the power of the One…Who will YOU represent?

Galatians 5:7-10
You were getting along so well. Who has interfered with you to hold you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God who has done it, for he is the one who has called you to in Christ. But it takes only one wrong person among you to infect all the others.

I am trusting the Lord to bring you back to believing as I do about these things. God will deal with that person, whoever he is, who has been troubling and confusing you.

The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

One of our all-time favorite movies is The Power of One*. This movie follows the life of an English South African named Peekay from 1939 to 1951. Peekay navigates apartheid, the nervous breakdown of his mother, and being bullied by his peers. Ultimately, the story is one of triumph and perseverance – and quite literally, a demonstration of “the power of one.” Indeed, we all underestimate the ability of one person to make changes…both good and bad ones.

Paul reminds us in this passage that “it only takes one wrong person among you to infect all the others.” Sit with that thought a minute. Consider how even in your own life, one person has wreaked havoc…a childhood bully…someone who was overbearing in a particular manner…those who lied and cheated. We all have seen the damage that one person can do…and we must be diligent to ensure that we do not succumb to his/her “infectious persuasion” and demonstrate these same behaviors in our own lives.

We also have the perfect example of how the power of One can make a positive difference – and literally change the world. Jesus Christ brought Salvation through His blood on the cross. He redeemed any and all who choose to surrender to Him and follow His teachings and commands. Imagine for a minute what would happen if those who perpetuate untruths and evil channeled that same energy and effort into loving others with the love of Christ and living as He taught us!

We are responsible for our own thoughts, words and actions. I know that our “control” over others is limited. There are some people in this world whose minds we will never change – whose behavior will always be confusing – or even abominable – to us. We must choose to see them for who and what they are – and refuse to follow in their path, as we pray for them to discover a life in Christ and make necessary changes.

We must also accept that a day of reckoning will come for all of us. Those who have used their “power” in the wrong manner will have to answer to God for this. I take comfort in knowing that He will mete out justice…and that is not my worry! Choose this day to follow Jesus and love others with His love. Ask Him to multiply your efforts and make “the power of one” the power of the One who can do all things, to the glory of God Almighty. Alleluia!

©2021 Debbie Robus

*The Power of One

Daily Devotional for September 28, 2020 – Deciding WHO deserves better – choosing which world to love…

1 John 2:15-17
Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.

Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.

In his weekly sermon, Dr. John Robbins, Senior Pastor at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock, talked about how we “steal Jesus” and “leave the cross”. I addressed this in an earlier devotional. In the same sermon, Rev. Robbins told of a time when he entered a sanctuary in the company of an older pastor, who looked upon a scant crowd gathered for worship and said, “I deserve better than this.” Rev. Robbins said he pointed out that Jesus deserved better – and he felt a little smug for having made this brilliant observation.

However, Rev. Robbins noted that in later years, he realized that he had often said or done essentially the same thing as this veteran pastor. He had made statements or thought and acted in a way that indicated a lack of humility – and an inflated sense of self-worth and accomplishment. He noted that we all do this…and he is right! Even the most pious among us often asks, “What’s in this for me?” We figure out our “angle” and proceed accordingly.

While you are probably sick of my writings about the pandemic and its affects, please indulge me here. I have made no secret of the fact that I miss our children…I miss their visits and sleepovers, car rides home after church where all three are talking over each other, our shared hugs, kisses and bedtime stories. I have worried over their safety, particularly when their mother was trying to decide whether they should go back to school in person – or become virtual learners. There were “pros and cons” for both sides. (And they ultimately chose the latter option.)

I finally came to the understanding that this was not about me…that whatever actions and choices were in their best interest, this was what needed to happen – even if it would mean that we had to isolate from them for the foreseeable future. Whether Greg and I get to spend physical time with them “like normal” is irrelevant. The same goes for other vulnerable family members. If avoiding restaurants and retail stores, isolating and remaining diligent in our actions results in safety for Grandma E – and even each other – this is more important than our own personal desires or the fact that we are bone weary from continually thinking about the health ramifications of every single action – or sneeze!

The pandemic has humbled me. I have gained a greater respect and appreciation for the little things. I think more about my daily behavior and how it affects others. I ask myself more frequently, “Am I representing Jesus and demonstrating His will over my own?” I’m looking at others with “new eyes”. Sometimes, I am filled with awe and respect for how seriously they are taking this virus – and how carefully they are going about their daily living and interactions with others. There are also those who cause me to wonder, “Who are they following?” – as they seem to throw caution to the wind and do as they please.

Sometime in April, my cousin remarked that when this pandemic is over, we are going to look at a lot of people in a different way because of how they have reacted and responded. I agree. I also believe that the bigger issue is that Jesus is going to look at a lot of us differently. He will still love us…I am certain of this. But will He feel like we embraced Him and left the cross? Will He be pleased with how we put Him first and implemented His wisdom and guidance in our daily living? Or will He be saddened by our selfish “declaration” in word and deed that “I deserve better than this!”?

My question to you this day is this…”What – and WHO – do you really want?” How you answer is consequential…now, and for all Eternity.

©2020 Debbie Robus