For such a small number, it can certainly cause a lot of confusion, disappointment, and hurt. People are sometimes referred to as numbers, with a ONE being the lowest of those. I've witnessed a church preferring to have 8's, 9's and 10's because of the negativity that those 1's and 2's may bring. I have seen people singled out as the ONE who did the damage or said what shouldn't have been said. Instead of reflecting on the pitiful acts that I have seen toward the number 1, I'm going to share what importance that number holds to us all.
According to Wikipedia, the number one is sometimes referred to as "unity". When I read that statement, it started me thinking about how we should all come together as one. However, we don't see that happening near enough. We all seem to find reasons for not uniting. But the number 1 is the basis for all numbers. With that being said, I would say that 1 is extremely important in that sense.
The number one is spiritually significant to us. There is only ONE God. To us, He gave His only (ONE) Son. God saw something in Mary and Joseph that others probably looked right over. What an incredible gift they were given.
"Jesus loved the little children; all the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, they were precious in His sight. Jesus loved the little children of the world." Jesus did love the little children in the same way that God loves all of us. We are all so very precious to Him. Our social standing does not matter to Him in the least. What matters is our heart and our love for Him.
This image breaks my heart. I am saddened to know that our ancestors before us let it get to a point to where God felt that His only (ONE) son had to undergo this incredible amount of torture and pain so that we may have eternal life with Him. But what an incredible act of love on Jesus' part that He took every bit of this for us. He didn't just do it for the lady up the road in the fancy house. He didn't do it just for the rich banker who makes a sizable donation into the collection plate. He didn't do it just for the drunkard in the alley, either. He took that beating and He carried that cross and He hung on it to die for each and every ONE of us. To God, ONE matters.
I love the way that Luke 15:3-7 shares with us just how important that Jesus felt the number ONE was. In the parable of a lost sheep, He tells us of the rejoicing in heaven over ONE sinner that repenteth, more than ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. It does us no good to be a shepherd to a flock of hundreds of sheep if we have no regard for that ONE that was lost.
There are churches spread out all over this country. There are big ones, little ones, fancy ones, and some that are really casual. They are in buildings that range from costing nothing to some that cost millions of dollars. In these churches, there are shepherds leading their flocks. The good shepherds tend their flocks, taking care of them, watching over them, making sure that they are being fed as they need to be fed. They take their flocks out into the lands so that they may benefit from the pastures around them. Occasionally, a lamb might go astray. But the good shepherd is quick to go after that one lamb so that he is not lost. Even the runt of the litter lamb is important to that shepherd. If you are in a church where the shepherd is not tending his sheep, then ask why! Each and every ONE matters. And if you are in a church that stays between the four walls, ask the shepherd WHY? Stop straddling the fence in order to fit in. Grab that shepherd by the hand and go out to make a difference.
As I said before, I have seen a lot within the last year or so. I've really been disappointed. But at the same time, I am disappointed with the way that I handled things, too. I was in a church with the lost shepherd. Several times I suggested different things that we needed to be doing. My husband and I went to him about mission work and really gained no guidance at all. But instead of questioning the shepherd about his leadership, I got offended. And in that action, I grew resentful. We knew when God was trying to move us. We should have gone when we were told instead of trying to stay in a flock that He didn't want us in. In staying, we were shown things that weren't favorable at all. However, in those moments, we were taught lessons, as well. In all of this, God has drawn me closer to Him. I guess when the one on the pedestal fell, I immediately ran to God to ask why. I didn't get any answers from Him. But I did realize that none of us are perfect, not even shepherds in the church. And I also realized that we are all still loved and cared for even when we do fall. We are all just a small step away from falling. But the good news is that God is there.... waiting for us to get back up and dust ourselves off. He's got His arms stretched wide open for us.
The next time that someone uses the number one in a negative way around you, take that opportunity to tell them just how special that ONE really is!
Have a wonderfully blessed evening!
