“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned’” (Mark 16:15-16, NIV 1984).

I was interviewing applicants for a spot in our fellowship program and a young woman sat before me with a personal statement that fascinated me. Within her statement, as she was talking about her desire to become an oncologist, she quoted a writer named Kathy Davison, whom I have never read: “Saving one dog will not save the world, but surely, for that one dog the world will change forever.”

Certainly, this young doctor’s quote applies to the profession of oncology, where saving even one life from cancer feels like a great victory at times. But, the quote also made me ponder the nature of eternity and the value of our lives as witnesses for the Gospel.

Some folks have the gift of evangelism and hundreds fall to their knees and accept Christ when they speak. Praise God.

Most of us do not speak before thousands but carry the Gospel with us as we move through our days, praying in faith that God will be manifest. Perhaps in our entire lives a few will be saved because of our witness. What is the value of my meager influence for Christ when there are billions who will never choose Him as Savior?

Here comes the dog lesson. Though we cannot save the billions, to those few who come to Christ by our witness, “the world will change forever.” Even one life saved has eternal significance, enough for God to say to those of us who are faithful in our witness, “It is good that you have lived.”

Dear God,
Help me be faithful to live and speak the Gospel where You have sent me.
Amen