Just One

2 Samuel 20:6

David said to Abishai, ‘Now Sheba son of Bicri will do to us more harm than Absalom did. Take your master’s men and pursue him, or he will find fortified cities and escape from us.’

When Rilian happened (haha!), everything changed. Long hours of sleep became history, formal attires and gatherings were taken aside, going out with friends was a luxury, and movie night outs were just out of the question. Zero. Poof. Gone. The replacements? Sleep equals tricks and schemes to get him to sleep so we could have one; fashion meant bringing that baby bag, wearing his carrier, and tying my hair up because there’s no time to blowdry; going out was always a major production, sometimes a disaster, or worse, postponed indefinitely; and movies were in dvds, usually a choice between Barney and Backyardigans. Amazing how that little tot turned our world around. But it’s not all complaints. The joys of parenthood exceeded the discomforts. His smiles were picture perfect, watching him sleep was understanding peace, and every moment, priceless! Yes, just one little boy and we’re literally upside down. Last week marked our fifth year with him… and the saga continues :>

The whole chapter Twenty vibrates the impact of one on the lives of many. One troublemaking Sheba causing dissension to the kingdom; David favoring one tribe making the rest desert him again; Joab’s personal vendetta in the midst of national security; one wise woman interceding for the whole city of Abel; and the cut-off head of Amasa to disperse the entire army. It’s rare to find so many people play lead in one chapter alone. Each has his own cause, and each caused an effect.  Some opened danger, some stirred anger. A lady brought rest, while many found rest. Yes, these were mostly individuals yet they had the power to save or scatter a kingdom. Who says majority wins? They'll say, "I'm one. But I can take the majority!'

Let us be mindful that our every action produces a ripple effect. ‘For just as through the disobedience of one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one Man the many will be righteous’ (Rom.5.19). It offers us choice. One word of praise or one that causes pain? One sin that brings in shame or one controlled self for our family’s and His’ name? One life lived for God and for others, or one stuck in solitude and selfish gains? What would it be? “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”