“The Power of One!”

Matthew 25: 34-40

34) "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35) For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36) I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'37) "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38) When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39) When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'40) "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

“One person can make a difference and every person should try.”
- John F. Kennedy 35th U.S. President

Having run across the above quote online today, I was reminded of a story that i have heard many times as a student at Meharry Medical College. In the 1820's, a teenage Samuel Meharry was hauling a wagon-load of salt through the wilderness of Kentucky. Upon nightfall, his wagon became mired in the mud - he could travel no further. A free black family, whose name remains unknown to this day, helped young Samuel by taking him in for the night. They helped him free his wagon the next morning. Samuel Meharry had nothing to give in return, but he made a promise saying "when I can, I will repay you . . .or members of your race." Fifty years later, when the Methodist Church and its Freedmen's Aid Society were seeking support to establish a medical program to train freed slaves, Samuel Meharry remembered his pledge. He and his four brothers contributed $30,000 in cash and property to establish the Meharry Medical Department of Central Tennessee College, the forerunner of today's Meharry Medical College. (Source: www.mmc.edu) Today Meharry Medical College remains a leader in the education of minority physicians, dentists and biomedical scientists, with a commitment to graduating compassionate medical practitioners. Many Meharry graduates go on to serve some of the most poor and disenfranchised communities in America. As a 2005 graduate of Meharry, I have listened intently to many wizened professors, administrators and medical professionals re-tell the story of the unnamed black family whose seemingly small act of kindness made such a profound impact. I hold the motto of my medical alma mater in highest regard aware that we should all strive to offer “Worship of God by service to mankind.”


We are Heirs with Purpose!

Romans 8:17 tells us “17)Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” As heirs of God, we must recognize that our lives are blessed to be a blessing to others. In Matthew 25, our Lord Himself, reminds us that “we are blessed by [His] Father” with a royal inheritance. In this age of individualistic materialism, many place great stock in the personal fiduciary implications of “inheritance” and fail to press forward to perform our basic family, church and societal obligations. We forget that the blessings we receive are not only for our good, but for the good of those whose lives we will invariably touch. My young adult pastor often reminds us “we are blessed to be a blessing.” Otherwise stated by one of my greatest heroines, Mother Teresa: “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” The mantra of “my four and no more” has left many of us isolated, feeling inadequate of the perfect will of God as ambassadors for the Kingdom. After we have “arrived” we are left to wonder what is our true purpose in life. We are unsure if we make our mark? We wonder if the world will even remember our contribution. Jesus reminds us that the inheritance was “prepared for you since the creation of the world.” (v. 34) These gifts, talents and resources are on loan to you by God, were purposed specifically for you. I often tell children that they are unique and chosen by God to do something that only they can do. Jeremiah 1:5 has to be one of the most powerful scriptures in the Bible: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." All of us, young and old need to be reminded that we all play an integral part in fulfilling the will of the Father here on Earth. Verses 35 and 36 describe our responsibility to answer the call of our hungry, thirsty and imprisoned brothers and sisters. This responsibility includes not only the physical aspects of these needs, but also spiritual ones. How many times in a given week do we pass a spiritually hungry and thirsty young person without even so much as a kind “hello”. While “Keisha’s” heavy faux lashes and six inch stilettos are a cry of spiritual and emotional starvation, “Raheim’s” pants can never sag as low as his self worth does. Dare to share the hope that you have as an heir Christ Jesus and all that this access provides! I love Matthew 5:14-16: 14) "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15) Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16) In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Know that your single light may be all that is needed to draw someone to Christ and the victorious life that a relationship with our Lord brings! Whether you volunteer at a homeless shelter, read to nursing home patients, participate in prison outreach or pay for someone’s groceries in line at the supermarket, know that your giving is unto the Lord. , 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (v.40). Jesus’s love is vividly shown in our willingness to operate in love. There can be no greater purpose in my life and yours than to be found bringing the loving message and ministry of God to a hungry, thirsty, naked and dying world.

Dr.’s Orders: 

1) Identify a unique outreach opportunity in your local community. Dedicate at least one weekend day to this effort. If you are already involved in such an activity, encourage at least one friend or family member to come with you to serve. Be the One!
2) Commit a random act of kindness. Whether you choose to anonymously pay for a stranger’s gas or put a motivational message on your neighbor’s car windshield do something that points others to hope and life in God. Be a light of One!