“Jesus did life with a zoom lens. When someone stood in front of him, time stopped. Everything else in life . . . seemed to blur and disappear. The only thing that mattered was the person standing in front of him. Jesus changed the world one person at a time.”- Kyle Idleman
In the Introduction to his latest book, One At a Time: The Unexpected Way God Wants to Use You to Change the World, Kyle Idleman asserts that everyone wants to make a difference in the world. Yet, Pastor Idleman observes, it’s easy to get caught up in the everyday things of life. But, with each passing year, this question crescendos: Am I making a difference in the world?
Certainly, no doubt exists that Jesus stands as the person who’s made the biggest difference in history. However, Jesus never followed anything like the formula for success society gives us. Above all, Kyle stresses, one phrase captures the reason Jesus had such an impact. Furthermore, Kyle believes this phrase reflects how Jesus wants us to make a difference: one at a time.
Therefore, Pastor Idleman counsels, we must stop leaning into the way our culture measures difference-making. Rather, we need to start leaning into the unexpected ways God wants to use us. So, to make a difference, focus on the one. Because that’s it – the secret of the way of Jesus.
Next, as Kyle moves on to Chapter 1 (“Zoom Lens”), he notes that Time magazine once ranked the most impactful people in history. And number one? Jesus. But, the author states, that’s not surprising. Because even people who deny Jesus as Savior and Lord can’t deny His influence. For that influence swept through history and changed the world.
Finally, Pastor Idleman describes his response to Time magazine’s list:
“I asked myself, How did [Jesus] do it? I decided to take an afternoon and reread the Gospels with that question in mind. Here’s the conclusion I came to: One at a time. That’s it. That’s the secret of the way of Jesus.”
Today’s question: How can you, like Jesus, respond to people one at a time? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the April Short Meditation, “Anchor of hope – righteous redeemer”
