April 6 - Just one

“Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all” - Proverbs 22:2

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” - Ephesians 2:14

This week, Wednesday 4^th April was the 50^th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968). Martin was an American Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the civil right's movement from 1954 until his death in 1968. He is best known for advancing civil rights through nonviolence and civil disobedience, tactics inspired by his Christian beliefs and the nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi helped inspire.

At creation God made man and woman equal partners, each with a specific role to play. Some are rich, some poor. Some are extraordinarily talented; some simply blend with the masses in an ocean of mediocrity. Some hold high and lofty positions while others toil in a lowly station, destined to serve rather than rule.

Despite this, we are all equal in essence before God and one another. “All enter the world naked, helpless, unconscious beings; all stand in the same natural relation to their God; dependent on Him for their birth; the children of His Providence; the creatures of His moral government,” Bridges wrote.

This was basically Martin Luther's stance as he faced head-on the widespread inequality that existed then, and continues to exist, today, between peoples around the world. Why I wonder, is there so much prejudice, hatred, and intollerance in the world and our communities– such a dislike of difference? After all is said and done, in common, we will all face a life of afflictions, temptations, and trials. All will one day pass from this temporal existence and face the judgment of God. All are tainted with the same corruption. All like sheep have gone astray. Every one individual who has ever lived stands in need of redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ.

“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” - 1 John 4:20

“So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another” - Romans 12:5

Is there any wonder that Martin Luther declared in his famous speech to over 250,000 civil rights supporters, “I have a dream” - during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963, in which he calls for an end to racism in the United States  and called for civil and economic rights. King's dreams of freedom and equality arose from his roots in a land of slavery and hatred.

In our overpopulated, impersonal world, it is easy to underestimate the significance of one. With so many people, most of whom seem so much more capable, more gifted, more prosperous, more important than we, who are we to think our part amounts to much? I’m just one person, who cannot make much difference.

That’s the way most folks think. They really do!

Aren’t you glad Patrick Henry didn’t? And Henry Ford? And Martin Luther King, Jr.? And Walt Disney? And Martin Luther? And Winston Churchill? And Jackie Robinson? And Irving Berlin? And Abraham Lincoln? And Charles Wesley? And Dwight L. Moody? And Corrie ten Boom?

“But it’s a different world today,” you say. Back then, there was room for an individual to emerge and stand out in a crowd, but now, there’s no way!”

Wrong. God has always underscored individual involvement . . . still does.

• How many did it take to help the victim who got mugged on the Jericho Road? One Good Samaritan.

• How many were chosen by God to confront Pharaoh and lead the Exodus? One.

• How many sheep got lost and became the object of concern to the shepherd? One.

• How many were needed to confront adulterous David and bring him to his knees in full repentance? One.

• How many prophets were called to stand before wicked King Ahab and predict a drought? One.

• How many did the Lord use to get the attention of the land of Israel and prepare the way for Messiah? One.

Never underestimate the power of one! And that one just may be you.

(Acknowledgements Charles R. Swindoll)

“For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” - Ephesians 2:14

“One voice/Where no-one stands alone” medley (LIVE) presented by The Gaither Vocal Band is our music today. Click on the picture to listen. Enjoy!