ONE LIFE FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE

Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – February 2025, Pastor Lloyd Pulley

America is in moral decline. Family breakdown mirrors ancient Israel during the Judges' era. Fatherlessness is rampant, and the younger generation is increasingly pagan. Yet, history shows that a single life can change the course of a nation.

At Calvary Chapel, we recently began a series on 1 Samuel, which opens with a broken family. A good but misguided man takes a second wife when his beloved is unable to bear children. Hannah, the barren one tormented by the other, turns to God in desperate prayer. She vowed to dedicate her son to the Lord if He granted her one – and He answered. Samuel is born.

At a time when Israel was plagued by corrupt leaders, weak defenses, and a compromising faith, a praying woman gave birth to a prophet who brought people back to God, defeated their enemies, and anointed Israel's greatest king, David. From David's line came the Messiah, Jesus.

What people see as insignificant – a baby in the womb or a shepherd boy in a field – God sees as purposeful. Tragically, the slogan "Every Child a Wanted Child," coined by Margaret Sanger, shifted focus from God's plan to human convenience, resulting in the loss of 70 million. Yet God's mercy can intervene. Perhaps He will rise up as a leader, one of the 1,600 babies rescued from abortion through Bridge Women's Center, to be the next Samuel.

One life can have a huge impact! Whether the unborn child spared from abortion, a teacher standing for truth, or many praying for revival to get back to God, let's never underestimate the impact of one life yielded to God.

Make the most of your life – because God can use it to change the world!