You can be that one!

A recent car ride with a friend brought these thoughts to mind. How far does your influence go? The answer is simple. We will never know this side of eternity.

I'm going to relay a story to you. Its about a man of faith and courage. That man was William Woodson.
At the age of 19, he was converted out of denominationalism by a man named Gus Nichols. Brother Nichols told the young Woodson "You are going to Freed Hardeman and you are going to be a gospel preacher". Well, brother Woodson did just that. He eventually returned to FHU to be the head of the Bible department. Later, Lipscomb hired Him to come and write an entire graduate program in Bible so they could become a University. Brother Woodson preached for 60 years. He had impacted so many men through his work in Preacher workshops and teaching in Bible colleges. and that impact is still felt in the lives of those men, myself included. And we are still passing his words down to the next generation of faithful men! Through the efforts of Gus Nichols, brother Woodson will have an influence and impact that is unfathomable in this side of eternity.

Now if you will, a personal story. My mentor, W Gaddys Roy. The impact this man had on my life is unexplainable. As a young boy, sitting at his feet during worship, sitting in his office as he explained how to preach, listening to him explain Bible topics as I followed along behind the trailer picking up limbs in his pecan orchard and being "baptized" in the same orchard as he showed me how to baptize someone in Christ. This man molded me into the preacher I am today. He started when I was 12 years old. At 18, because of his failing health I had the honor and privilege to serve beside him as assistant minister. 2 years later, at the age of 94, 6 weeks after preaching his last sermon, brother Roy went on to his reward with the Father, leaving me to continue on his work at the congregation where we served. The instruction this man provided me has been invaluable. His words keep coming back to me and will continue to do so as long as God gives me the strength to stand and proclaim His message.
The impact he will have because of the interest he showed in my will never be calculated this side of eternity.

But why do I share these things? Because you can be that person in someones life. You can be the one that makes a difference in their spiritual life. And one day they will look back and thank God upon every remembrance of you. Be that person. Be that example. Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:2- what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. That word "entrust" there literally means to "put it alongside for safe keeping". Has someone made a difference in your life? Don't let their influence and impact stop at you! Pass it on! Entrust it, commit it to someone else. Make a difference in the life of someone today.