Let me be one

I had been asked when I would do another blog post.  I don't have a big following, but if I impact just one, it will be worth it.  In Luke, Jesus talks about leaving 99 to go after one.

 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?  And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away!  In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.Matthew: 18:12-14 (NLT)

So, every one matters. Everyone matters.

Why don't you read that again?

Every one matters.
Everyone matters.

The reason for my delayed post is simply this: it seems that we-society as a whole-have forgotten this simple concept.  Just as the shepherd of a flock of 100 would go after one missing sheep, every one of us matters.  Just as Jesus would have died on the cross for just you (or I), every one matters.

Why can't we see this?  It seems that we are quick to bring accusations against each other.  But, I don't believe that we should fight fire with fire.  You know what fire brings? More fire.

Instead, when fire is brought to us and when conflict slaps us in the face, why can we not turn it over to that One who matters most?  If you're anything like me, you might be quick to accept hurt.  You might be quick to want to act out negatively when hurt.  It's only human nature, right?

Well, I believe we shouldn't fight fire with fire.  The expression fire with fire means that we are treating people the same way that we are treated.  Really? You were disgraced and met with hatred, so that's what you'll return instead?  Stop being a mirror of hatred.  Don't be a mirror at all.  A mirror reflects the same thing that it's shown.  Instead, be transparent.  It's okay to let stuff go through you, because that means that it goes out of you.  It's okay to be transparent because, hopefully, they might see Christ through you.


I believe that we should fight human nature with God's grace.  I don't want to be the one that when the day is done and the sheep are counted, I'm still lost.  I also don't want to be a vicious, vindictive sheep that is causing others to stray.  I've blogged before about the effect that people have on other people (the ripple effect).  I want my ripple to be positive.  I want my ripple to be Christ-like.

The next time that I don't see eye to eye with someone, or I am met with distaste, disgrace, or conflict.  I will accept it transparently, whether it is true or not (that last part is hard to swallow, isn't it).  Let me be one that faces life's obstacles with a transparent and open heart, in hopes that those that matter (and that's every one) will be able to see love and see Him.

Let me be one.