Daily Devotional: Just one point
"Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’" — Matthew 25:34-40 NRSVUE
Once upon a time, I coached a freshman boys’ basketball team. The Saturday they won their first game was quite a moment. They trailed the entire game, until the final 30 seconds. At that point, they took a one-point lead, and ultimately won.
Just one point.
The win was not only the first of the year, but because of the way it fell in the tournament, it propelled us into the championship game the following Saturday.
Just one point.
I could see the change in the team. The boys moved more quickly and with a lightness I had not seen prior. They smiled and encouraged each other. Other athletes in the school congratulated them and patted them on the back.
Just one point.
A rebound here, a blocked shot or a blown assignment there, and we lose. But we won.
Just one point.
We never do know what our efforts for the Kingdom will bring. That one good thing we do may make all the difference for someone. That one small act of obedience. Perhaps, a Happy Birthday banner, hanging outside the house of a friend, a mailed note reminding a friend of a shared fond memory, or yes, a brownie, delivered to the home of someone who cannot get out as much as they would like.
Don’t lose heart. Lift up your head and know your one small effort, when done with love and in the Spirit of kindness, may make all the difference to someone this week. Have faith. It all comes right.
Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to see someone who could use a little thing this week. Because they never are all that little when You are behind it.
Rev. Dr. Michael Sanders has books of devotions available at Ken’s Village Market in Indian River and Brewed Awakenings in Saline.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Daily Devotional: Just one point
