“The LORD is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made.”
Psalm 145:9
He uses the name Brian because he says his Vietnamese name is too hard to pronounce.
He was allowed into the U.S. a few months ago, after years of paperwork, interviews, and waiting. As an only child, Brian is here to take care of his aging mother.
I met Brian two months ago. He speaks some English. But he says he needs to speak it much better if he is going to succeed here.
Brian is assigned to me, one of the volunteer teachers for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. I’m tasked to help him learn the language I speak, but does that mean I can adequately teach it?
The Big Things
One of the big issues we’re all confronted with is immigration. Wherever we live, it affects us in varying ways. Americans will be watching on Friday to see how the government responds to the next budget deadline over immigration.
But whether we’re the native or the immigrant, national concerns like these can feel overwhelming.
If you’re like me, you may think like this about large issues:
The problem is too big. And I am too small. If I can’t make a big difference—and I can’t—why make an effort at all?
But is that godly thinking?
Practical Theology
This month at Do Not Depart, we are taking a closer look at our theology. What we think about God matters. It affects what we think about ourselves, what we think about others, and what we think about our mission here.
And what we think affects what we do.
If we have faulty thinking at any juncture, things can get sticky.
Often our faulty thinking about “big” things goes like this: If we can’t do the big things for God, He can’t use us at all. Go big or go home.
But the truth is this: God is indeed God of the many, but He also is God of the one.
- God won’t snuff out even a smoldering candle.
“A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench.”
Isaiah 42:3 - He cares about every tiny sparrow that falls to the ground.
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.”
Matthew 10:29 - He numbers every hair on every head.
“But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.”
Matthew 10:30 - Jesus healed people individually, one by one, or in very small groups like the ten lepers.
Matthew 8:13; Mark 1:42; Luke 7:15; + more
When we forget these fundamental truths about God’s love for the small things, we are more likely to shortchange our own “small” acts of service.
Do Your Small Thing
But when we remember that each individual human is uniquely designed to bear the image of God, we’re more likely to do our small thing, knowing that it can make a difference for three reasons.
1. It helps that one person.
It may seem small to us, but it may be life-saving to them.
2. It changes us.
When we serve others, we see another angle of God that may be missing in our own lives.
3. It honors God.
When we His children love each other, the Father is pleased.
How we think God views people will change how we view people. If He values each one, so should we. One at a time.
When we hold hope for one person at a time, we reflect the image of our Creator.
Theology of One
Teaching English to Brian has been both easier and more challenging than I expected.
Between our ESL textbook and our weekly conversations, Brian is picking up vocabulary and subtle idiosyncrasies of the English language (like, “side by side” and “you’re breaking my heart” and “he is a heel”). He says our talks are helping him improve his speaking skills so he can find satisfying employment in the months ahead.
And while Brian is learning the language, I’m learning a lot about Vietnam. When he asks me questions about the U.S., I ask him questions about his home country. Our exchange of experiences is enlightening to both of us.
But I’m also learning about God through Brian, even though we don’t speak directly about religion. I’m learning that even though I can’t imagine or legislate the perfect immigration laws, I can follow God’s lead in loving the foreigner. Specifically, this foreigner. One week at a time. Even one word at a time.
It’s a theology of one.
When we can’t serve everyone, we can serve one.
“Sometimes we get so hung up on doing something great, we forget the best thing is often the smallest. Making the world better for one person makes the world better.”
Shannan Martin, The Ministry of Ordinary Places
I still want to learn how to pronounce Brian’s real name. But in the meantime, I’m pleased to call him friend.
Do big issues overwhelm you, too? How do you break them down into one person at a time? Who will be your one person today? Please share in the comments.
This is wise counsel and can be applied to many issues. I enjoyed reading about your ESL experience.
Thank you, Carol. There are so many good things we can do in this world, but we can never do more than one at a time. I have enjoyed teaching ESL, even though I am still quite a novice at it.
Such a thought provoking post. Love what you write here: God is also God of one. Amen and amen. I have several ones in my life and so thankful God has brought them into my life.
Those “ones” in our lives are so important. I’m grateful for mine, too. Thanks, Hulda.
Such a helpful perspective, Lisa. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed by the greatness of the needs out there. But all we need to do is minster to the one person God put in our path this moment.
Thanks, Barbara. One person at a time. It sounds simple on paper but I need to remind myself of it again and again, especially when things get overwhelming.
Powerful perspective! Thank you for your faithfulness! Blessings!
Thanks, Liz. I’m preaching to myself. :)
God is big enough for the world, the US should reflect that. I agree help one at a time. I have hard difficulties helping some people, even believers, my mother’s, help you can help. Visiting from Crystal’s link and we’re both doing #Write28days.
“God is big enough” – yes, that’s the bottom line, Becky. He isn’t expecting us to be enough; he wants us to let HIM be enough. Thanks for sharing here. I know you’re busy writing too. :)
That’s so cool! And you’re right; it’s so easy to get overwhelmed and discouraged. You drove home your point and lesson with those Bible verses. Well done.
The old adage, “A journey, regardless of how long, begins with the first step”, comes to mind.
Keep up the good work and race, sister.
I often let that first step intimidate me because I dwell too much on all the following steps. But one at a time, God will lead us. Thanks for the encouragement, Floyd.
I work at a fast food drive thru and I had no idea the impact my small job would have on my customers..25 years customer service experience and 43 years old here I am taking orders with a hands free head set..lol God is good and the job keeps me humble…im naturally upbeat and bubbly so I allow my smile and energy to resonate through my voice …ive gotten many laughs and sincere thanks from customers claiming my speaking voice and joking manner brightened their day…i also enjoy handing out their drinks and saying “have a blessed day” to everyone…Ive grown to love my job just because I feel like I’ve made someone’s day brighter especially grateful for the days I can do that for them when I’m feeling like my world is shattered and I’m hopeless. I Battling depression…addiction and low self esteem and low self worth daily. I struggle financially and emotionally and spiritually …i pray god let me be the change I wish to see in the world….lead by example and put the light of God so brightly upon me that it encourages others to be uplifting and positive to others around them…sure I just work fast food but I see many fast miracles happen daily.
Lisa, I love this. God is SO personal and deals with us so personally. I’ve seen that over and over the last few years as a widow and single mom. What a great reminder Brian is giving you each week!
Yes, I love that God deals with us as individuals, and then wants us to treat each other uniquely as well. It really takes the pressure off. :)
I dream about teaching ESL classes or tutoring adults someday when I’m done homeschooling and life slows down.
Thank you for bringing the truth of God’s great one-at-a-time love here today!
I was thankful when the opportunity to teach ESL came up. I had been waiting for a few years, too. But for now, you’re still in the thick of things so hang in there! Once you retire from homeschooling, you may find there are too many things you’ll want to do and will have to pick and choose. :)
Amen. Just one person. One kind word. A simple smile. A gentle hug.
Then repeat …
I’m so thankful God works this way. I tend to complicate things when left to my own doings instead of simplifying. Thanks for your “one”, Linda.
This post really got me thinking. Thank you for challenging me in this… who is one I can make a difference for today, even in small ways? I also got to thinking about all the times I was blessed by being “the one”. So many times others have done things for me that they probably thought were small and meaningless, but they had gigantic – often life-changing – impact.
Good thought exercise, Jana – I’ve often been blessed by someone else’s “one” as well. And yes, their little things were big to me! God is so good to work with small numbers as well as large.
What a wonderful practical example of serving one. Thanks for sharing and for linking up at #PorchStories.
Thanks, Kristin. And thanks for your faithfulness to host the linkup at your blog. I always enjoy meeting there.
Lisa, this help-one theology is refreshing insight. God does care about the small things. And what’s great about helping one is how it always reflects God and often multiplies out to other people. You touch Brian’s life through teaching English (and probably more unheard lessons), and then he touches the lives of others.
Your neighbor at Worth Beyond Rubies.
Good point, Karen. God’s math turns our “addition” into “multiplication.” :)
Oh, so very true. I can’t help every Native American, but I can help the one that lives in our home, and the ones that sit in my classes.
God bless you, Anita, as you touch so many lives. I’ve enjoyed reading their daily blog posts this month! I’m learning so much more about Native Americans from the source.
i love this! It’s easy to feel that we, as Christians, are called to help everyone, but that’s just not possible. Reach one at a time and share His love ! (stopping by from worthbeyondrubies link up)
It does take the pressure off, yes? We can get overwhelmed with all the needs out there, but when we just do one thing at a time, God strips away the hopeless feeling.