Society tells us that you are only able to make an impact that is life-changing for people if you have a large audience, a high-powered job, a national or international stage, and so on. While I agree that people in this position do have the ability to reach a large amount of people at once, I don’t agree that this is the only or even the most important way to impact people. In fact, I believe that even the smallest, seemingly most insignificant actions in our everyday lives can and do make life-changing impacts in others’ lives, some even with eternal impact.
Planting gardens in South Africa
Show People They Count
Our most important interactions in life are one-on-one. Ephesians 4:32 says to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”. And Romans 12:10 says to “Love one another with brotherly affections. Outdo one another in showing honor.” A hug, a laugh, a phone call, companionship, and so on. I have heard several stories of people deciding not to commit suicide from a simple hello and a smile or someone asking how they were doing. A smile and a question from one person reaching out to another person to show they count and that they are important enough to acknowledge can be the difference between life and death. It can be as simple as that.
Even when considering those who are gifted in presenting their views and beliefs to a large audience, the reason we come to appreciate them and want to hear more is the time we spend with them “one-on-one”. Reading a book by Beth Moore, listening to Kay Arthur teach us how to study the precepts of the Bible, listening to our iPod and having the words that move us by a recording artist in our ears speaking to our soul; these are the times that they truly touch our lives.
Help Each Other
Kid’s helping each other
We also help each other grow and become more like Christ. Proverbs 27:17 says, “as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” In doing this, we can be a reflection of God and can possibly have the privilege of leading someone to a personal relationship with Jesus. But even when that relationship is started in a huge assembly after hearing a preacher or a singer, the growth is mostly encouraged and grown through one-on-one conversations, studying and praying for each other in times together.
The time in my life when I saw God move in miraculous ways and answer prayers so visibly was the year I was a prayer partner with the lady who became my best friend. In fact, she became my best friend because of the connection we had one-on-one with each other and in God’s presence. Even our relationship with God is a One-on-one relationship.
We all have the ability to make an impact in the lives of people everyday. In reality, it is an opportunity to show God’s love and be a reflection of Him in a hurting and broken world. To think that a simple smile or gesture of kindness can breathe new hope into someone’s life in even the smallest encounter makes every interaction in our lives possibly a once in a lifetime encounter.
~ Joanna Lynn
