The Power of One

The first Presidential debate occurred this week, and we are on a countdown to the election. If you're like many people, you may be thinking, “Thank God, the election season is almost over!” Maybe you have voted in many elections, or maybe this is the first time you will be voting. Regardless, do you realize how privileged we are to live in a country where we can take an active part in determining our leadership?

It's easy to discount the importance of our one vote when think about the millions of people who will cast their votes on election day. But do you realize how many times the course of history has been changed by just one vote? Consider these examples:

1645 Oliver Cromwell gains control of England by one vote in Parliament
1649 King Charles I of England is beheaded by a margin of one vote
1868 Pres. Andrew Johnson is spared impeachment by one vote in the Senate
Texas, California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho were all admitted to the union by a margin of one vote in Congress
1923 The new Nazi party elects its leader, Adolf Hitler, by one vote

God has a habit of doing incredible things through the life of just one person. He used one man, Noah, to save the human race from extinction (Genesis 6:5–8). He took an orphan girl, Esther, and made her queen of Persia to save the Jewish people from being slaughtered (Esther 4:24). He saved a baby boy, Moses, from certain death, made him a Prince of Egypt, and used him to deliver Israel from slavery. (Exodus 1–14).   

Israel Houghton captures our significance well in his song: “Power of One.”

Please don't close your eyes, please don't turn away
Let your voices rise, put love on display
I believe you and me can make a difference now
It all begins with one, the power of one
Joining the hundreds of millions of people believing…
In one, the power of one

As we approach election day, remember the power of one vote, your vote. And most important, never forget the significance of one life, your life to Father God. He intends to change the world through you! 

Come join us this Sunday at 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM. This Sunday is “Pulpit Freedom Sunday,” and I will be discussing important issues to consider in the upcoming election. 

Pastor Che