Redeeming the Time: Being the World to Someone

Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Acts 5:34, “Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while.”

Background

There is no shortage of inspirational quotes about the difference that one person can make. One particular quote comes from one particular man. He said, “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” The quote was made by Theodor Geisel, but you and I know him better as Dr. Seuss. If you were ever a child, then you most certainly read and re-read his classics A Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. Children today are still reading them, as nearly half a million copies of each are sold every year, now some 60 years since they were first published. And if you love the Christmas special How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, then you have Dr. Seuss to thank (as well as Boris Karloff and his voice). Writing over 60 books and selling over 600,000,000 copies is a generous indication of making a difference. It’s difficult to imagine a home where children grew up not having a copy of one of Dr. Seuss’ books in it. But what about his quote? What about you possibly being the world to one person? If you have small children, then you can easily see yourself in that position. But if they’ve grown up and moved on, then now it might be you in the eyes of your spouse. The possibilities are endless, but the larger point is that you can reach and touch someone, more than you could imagine and without your full knowledge or intention. But when you do have that audience, when the connection is there, the highs and lows can exceed your imagination.

Application

With one of my daughters, our worlds are not as close as they have been. And Sunday, when my wife and I had the afternoon with her, I wasted the gift of time I was given. Rather than taking the initiative to make some memories and relish the special time, I frittered away the hours as our worlds coexisted but didn’t collide. It’s a lost opportunity in a list a mile long, for sure. Looking back can be such a double-edged sword. But we all have today. We can be the one person, and we can be the world. One Person left His world to redeem ours, and now we live on His time. Try to recognize the value of it, to you and to others, before it passes you by. It’s a gift from God meant to be shared.

Charge

As we seek Him today, make your choices wisely. Spend your time on what is worth it.

Editor Comment: In a culture racing past the people right in front of us, this devotional is a timely reminder that redeeming the time God gives us starts with the person closest to home.