What If You Only Reach One?
Does ministry have to be large, public, and impactful to be successful? Hear about Jo's story in this article
I had the joy of leading a weekend women’s retreat where there was a wonderfully kind-hearted and faith-filled woman. (For her own anonymity, let’s call her Jo). It was evident God was working in Jo’s heart during this retreat, and she asked to speak with me and another retreat leader.
For context, Jo was an older woman confined to a wheelchair because she only had one leg. She relied heavily on the care of her elderly mother day-to-day, or her friend during this retreat. During this conversation, she explained how much she loved God and loved her faith… but she just didn’t know how God could possibly use her! Through tears, she said, “I want to share my faith with the world. I want to make an impact. I just want God to bring me so many people, but how could he use me?” She had experienced pain; yes, physical, but also emotional and spiritual. Her desire was a beautiful one! And I could see how much her heart wanted to give more to God, with a fear that she couldn’t.
After a deeper conversation, I posed a question to Jo. “You have a beautiful heart and a love for God, but… What if you only ever reach one person?” “One?” Jo repeated. “What if you only reach one? Would that be enough?”
I began to mention the biblical figure, Ananias, who is a favorite of mine and the other ministry leader’s, as well. Do you know who Ananias is? If not, perhaps you know of someone else; St. Paul?
When Saul of Tarsus (St. Paul) is on the road to Damascus, on his way to persecute Christians, he encounters Jesus. Through this divine encounter, he finds himself blinded.1 God then tells a man named Ananias to go and minister to Saul. At first, Ananias is worried because this is a man who has been killing Christians.2 Perhaps he wonders how God could use him, or why this is God’s plan. In faith, however, he goes to minister to Saul. He was sent to help him regain his sight and bring him the Holy Spirit. Scripture also says that for several days, Paul remained with the disciples in Damascus. This could mean that Ananias continued to minister to Paul, teaching him. Paul physically regained his sight, but through the Holy Spirit and understanding, he also was no longer spiritually blind.
Ananias is a seemingly unknown and unimportant figure to most, but without him, Saul may never have become St. Paul who greatly impacted the early Church and the Church today! All Ananias did… was preach the Gospel to ONE person. Just one. That one person went on to change the world, and for all of time, Ananias will share in Paul’s heavenly reward.
After sharing this scripture account with Jo, she smiled and continued to repeat to herself, “Just one. That would be enough.” Passion like Jo’s is a beautiful thing! And surely there are many, like Paul, who are called to minister to hundreds… maybe thousands! BUT it begins with one.
It’s easy to believe that ministry must be widely impactful or reach the masses to be successful. But, ministry is the humility to go where God asks like Ananias, to give what God needs, to say what needs to be said (even when we don’t want to or are afraid).
It’s a simple desire to reach just ONE person…
Acts 9:3-9
Acts 9: 10-13