Yesterday, my husband recounted a high-school story to our church family.
As a teenager and new believer, Tim was asked to lead a Bible study at his Southern California high school. While many friends promise to come, only one girl showed up, and she was his ride to the before-school gathering. She also had a crush on him.
Week after week, it was the same story. One person to listen to a prepared expository lesson.
The end of the semester drew near and a discouraged Tim questioned God, "It's just one, Lord. Why should I go to all this trouble and teach another semester for just one?"
You know the response. "As you did it to the least of these, so you have done it to Me."
So of course, Tim acquiesced.
At the start of the term, other friends asked Tim is he was still going to hold his morning Bible study. He said, yes, but was doubtful anyone would show.
Well, the first study came and there were more in attendance than just the infatuated girl who also was his ride.
Week after week, the numbers grew. The Santa Ana Valley High principal called Tim in and offered him support of any kind for the meetings. Perhaps the principal knew that--in his rough, racially-strained low-income suburban district--the effects of students meeting to learn scripture would be nothing but positive.
Soon, the library where they met burst beyond capacity and the cafeteria became their new chapel. God was faithful even when Tim doubted.
It's not the masses that count, but the one. Each individual soul.
Although Tim did not share this yesterday, I know that at one point, after he graduated, he was teaching studies in more that ten different high-schools. And later he took his speaking talents on a Jesus band circuit up the California coast to colleges like University of California at Santa Barbara and beaches and parks like Venice/Muscle Beach.
