If By One Man. . .

Now surrounded in Boston by other structures, the Old North Church seems somewhat insignificant compared to newer or larger architecture nearby.

Image by timsackton via Flickr

As I stood and craned my neck to look upward at the steeple of the Old North Church, I wondered how one man's actions could have such an effect on the people around him, the people who would come after him, the history of a nation, indeed, the history of the world.

If Paul Revere had not given the signal to put two lanterns in the steeple of the Old North Church, our nation might not have come to be. If America had never been born, what might have happened to the European nations during World War I and World War II? Would Iraqi women today have purple fingers because they have voted in their own elections?

One man's actions. . .to have impacted the lives of so many.

"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." Romans 5:19

There are two other men whose lives and choices impacted so many. Through Adam sin came into the world (Romans 5:12) and through Jesus Christ "the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many" (Romans 5:15).

We, too, must realize our lives, and our choices, affect and impact all those who come behind us. May our choices always be for Grace.