I’m participating in a group Bible reading devotional with some dear friends from my church family. Currently, we are working our way through the book of Genesis, chapter by chapter. This week we’ve been reading about Abraham who is probably one of the most famous people written about in the Old Testament. Anyone familiar with his life story knows that God asked him to sacrifice his son Issac which he was obedient in carrying out only to experience that his faithfulness resulted in taking his son off the altar of wood and being provided a ram in his son’s stead. As much as that part of Abraham’s life contributes to his story, every time I re-read about him I discover new “takeaways”. Today, when reading how Abraham negotiated with the Hittite people for a burial place for his wife Sarah, I noted a simple sentence that described Abraham as being a “prince among us”–the Hittes, the native people to the very place he’d been living when Sarah died. Prior to this exchange there is yet another reminder from God that Abraham will be responsible for many nations on earth to be blessed. One man = promises, blessings, obedience, favor from God and man. Reflecting on these descriptions made me ask this question,  Is Abraham a world changer? Sounds like it to me. 

How does the idea of one person and a good reputation wrapped in the promises of God and obedience affect me? How can I be influenced by this description of a man who was not perfect, yet still seeking to live a righteous life? Can my life be one that brings change to a world that is vast and full of chaos? These are not easy questions. I don’t have quick answers. What I do have to fall back on  is examples of people that crossed the path of my life and effected change for me….

Meet Betty. I met her years ago at a Teen Challenge ministry event. The details of how and why I was briefly involved with this wonderful organization are now faint images in my mind, but something Betty said will never leave me. Betty told me about working with some of the boys who were living in the ministry’s house and how she loved to encourage each one. Doing so came easy for her, except for one boy. She was sad as she told me “no matter how hard I tried to think of something to say to him, the words just never came. I couldn’t think of anything to say to him. Instead, one night as he was sitting at a table, I tapped him on the shoulder as I walked past him and I quietly said ‘I love you’….and kept on going. We didn’t engage in any conversation that night or any others and over time he left the home and life carried on.” Until her phone rang years later.

“Betty”? Asked a male voice.

“Yes.”

“I don’t know if you remember me. My name is John (not his real name)”

“Oh, yes, I do”,  admittedly laughing after a long pause to dig deep to recall with certainty that she truly remembered him.

“I just wanted to call and thank you for being so kind to me when I lived at Teen Challenge.”

Betty listened. She was embarrassed, she told me. She didn’t recall doing anything for this boy who was now a grown man.

“You told me you loved me, and that changed my life. I want you to know that I’m doing good. I’m married, I have kids and I’m a minister.”

As Betty told me this story, I remember getting God chills. She was elated that in her weakness, God used three simple words to change someone’s life. Hearing Betty tell me this story about a troubled young man finding his way to a better life fueled me then and continues to feed my desire to be the same kind of encouragement for women and men that cross my path.

I think Betty is a world changer. She was one woman working with teens who had fallen into  traps offered by a sinful world whether it be drugs, alcohol, abuse…and because of a heart filled and spurred on by a loving Heavenly Father, she gained favor and ability to share Him with others. 

I want to be more like Betty and less like the world in terms of success or worldly reputation. I want to see the “Johns” and “Janes” in my community that merely need to hear “I love you”, with or without a gentle touch on the shoulder. I don’t care if my efforts produce a phone call years later to tell me if my actions succeeded or not. If God wants to bless me that way, then so be it. If He doesn’t, I’ll rest assured that as I continue to love, to encourage, to initiate life changing words no matter the person, my rewards will come from Him in due time.

Will you join me in being a world changer? If one person adds another person, adds another person…..the results will be amazing and out of this world!