The Power of One (part 2)

After I wrote my last post on “the Power of One”  I came across the following blog post by Michael Hyatt (great blog by the way, well worth subscribing to)  “5 Ways you can become  an everyday hero”.  He starts with a discussion about the movie Freedom Writers (awesome movie, by the way, – our whole family loves it) The movie is based upon the real life story of rookie teacher Erin Gruwell and focuses on her struggle to make a difference in the lives of her students in a tough inner city school in Long Beach, California. The movie really shows how one person can make a difference.

Michael goes on to share 5 ways that you and I can exercise our own power to make a difference where we are right now.

1. Stop ignoring the evil you encounter. For way too many people the response to the hurt around us isn’t anger or even sadness, it is apathy. As followers of Christ, we are called to a different standard. Like the Good Samaritan, we are called to “see” the other and do what we can with what we have.

2. Stop over-thinking your response to it. It is so easy to think of why we can’t! We have our own problems. We don’t know enough, have enough, etc. to truly make an impact.  On and on and on go the excuses.  It’s time we listen to that still small voice of God speaking to us and respond when we are nudged!

3. Stop complaining about your lack of resources. There are hundreds of stories of people without the resources that everyone thought they needed, fulfilling their dreams God has placed on their lives. Sadly, there are thousands of stories of people who gave up too soon, because all they could see was the obstacle in front of them.  Michael states in his blog “Resources are never – and I mean never – the problem. The biggest challenge is simply my will to act”

4. Start asking.  “What is the right thing to do?”  The easy questions to ask are “Who (else) is going to do something about this?”  “What does this have to do with me?” and so on. As Christians we are called to ask “What does God want me to do in this situation?”  We cannot ignore the pain and sorrow around us.

5. Be in the moment and act. There will never be a perfect time to act, so act when you the Holy Spirit nudges. Again, stop with the I don’t have enough experience, resources, time, etc.  Like the bumper sticker says “If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it” Just step up and do what needs to be done.

Don’t think you are the hero type?  If you are obedient and trusting, God will work through you to make an impact in someone’s life and you will discover that to them you are a hero!

 

The power of one! One with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit is powerful enough to overcome problems and obstacles that seem impossible to us.  Sometimes all we have to do is start!

 

Get out there and be somebody’s hero today!