Don't Give Up

 

Photo by Marta Kulesza @Pixabay

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life, was cast into the pool of fire.” Revelation 20:15.

That passage made me sweat. How many times have I stumbled and failed? How many battles of self-control have I lost? I gain in one area, only to slip backward in another. At the end of my life, will I be cast into the pool of fire or welcomed into God’s presence?

I pleaded with God. “Don’t give up on me!”

As the words left my lips, I realized my error. It was not God who gave up. It was me. I was the one despairing, ready to give up, and not just on myself. How many times had I thrown up my hands and tried to walk away from difficult people or situations?

True, not everyone will respond to a hand extended in friendship or aide, but I can continue to pray for them, regardless of the apparent results. Same with many circumstances. Several times Jesus told his listeners how powerful prayer is, and how important it is to “pray unceasingly”.

Following along with this thought, I need to include myself in my prayers. I need them as much as my other intentions.  

Thank you, Lord, for being the Good Shepherd who searches for the lost sheep, never giving up until all are tucked safely at home with you. Never let me give up either.  Amen.

The Power of One

I’ve been on this merry-go-round many times, unable to come to terms with the needs of so many and my limited resources. I can’t seem to get passed the guilt of having so much while others have little, and yet what I have to share is barely a drop compared to the numbers of people needing help.

The old saying that charity begins at home means to start with my husband and family, and then spread out to others, but the number is so small. Is helping one person, or a few, enough?

As if in response to my question, this scripture verse flashed through my thoughts. “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine in the mountains and seek that which has gone astray?” Matthew 18:12.

Photo by Pexels from Pixabay

There is my answer. If God cares for enough for one to leave the rest and search for one lost soul, then yes, even just one matters.

That thought spiraled to the story of the starfish.

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf.

Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”

Original story by Loren Eisley

The devil wants me to be overwhelmed with the sheer number of needy souls, stymied into inaction. He doesn’t want me to know that although I may not help thousands of souls like Mother Teresa, I can make a difference — even if it is just one.  

Thank you, Lord, for showing me the power of one.