100 Days of HopeSample

One Among Seven Billion

The love of God has dimensions and calculations that are mysterious to humans. The expanse of his love is so huge that it covers the world. The focus of his love is so specific that it deals with individuals. Perhaps we could say, “God so loved the world that he values people individually.” People matter to God. They are not just a number lost in the massive population of 7 billion people.

Too often Christian workers get lost in the masses and begin to minimize the value of the individual. Gripped by best business practices, a servant of Christ can begin to focus upon what is cost effective in reaching the most people. The temptation then becomes to overlook the individual and their potential impact for the kingdom of God. In doing so we may begin to see people a bit differently than God does.

In Acts 8 we see God using an evangelist, Philip, to make a significant impact upon the multitudes of Samaria (8:4-8). Best business practices may have dictated that he stay where people were responsive. Yet God’s calculation was a bit different. God moves him into the wilderness of Gaza to minister to one man. God valued this individual and transplanted Philip from a successful ministry to the masses to reach one (8:26-39). Individuals within the mass of humanity matter to God.

Prayer: Lord, may we see the individual people whom Christ values within the broad scope of our ministries. Help us to love people like Christ does—giving attention, care, and love to individuals that cross our paths by God sovereignty.