the miracle of one
It’s that time of year; by that, I mean it’s corn on the cob season. I love corn on the cob, slathered with butter and sprinkled with salt; it was an August staple where I grew up in central Indiana. In my teens, I could consume enormous amounts of this sweet, yellow delicacy. Not so much now; I still enjoy a three or four-course meal of golden deliciousness this time of year. Course one: corn, course two: more corn, course three: yet more corn, and course four: you guessed it. I then hang my head over the sink, soap up my hands, and spend a couple of minutes removing copious amounts of butter and salt from my smiling face. Finally, it’s upstairs for dental floss and a toothpick. Life is good! I know some of you do not like corn on the cob – I forgive you.
Preparing corn on the cob reminds me of a significant life-altering principle. To prepare corn, one nearly fills a large pot with water, then heats the water to boiling. I like to watch a pot of water just before it begins to boil. Bubbles form on the bottom of the pan, and then suddenly, they start floating up to the surface: Viola, boiling water. Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit, not 211, 210, 209, etc. – only 212. When water heats just one degree, it starts to change form. It turns from a liquid to a gas.
Conversely, when the same substance, water, cools to 32 degrees, it changes form again and freezes. Not at 33, 34 degrees, or any warmer temperature. One degree makes all the difference.
One degree makes all the difference.
We tend to think that to accomplish something significant in our lives; we must make major changes. Most of the time, that approach is not accurate or helpful. For instance, years ago, I wanted to get closer to God, so I started reading my Bible and praying just a little while nearly every morning – a minor change in my schedule. Years later, I’ve written several prayer journals and read the Bible numerous times. I turned up the heat one degree and started getting closer to my Maker. One small change made all the difference.
Some folks think they would have to win the lottery to get out of debt – a massive change in their income. But more accurately, if they put the money they spent on the lottery towards paying off one of their bills, they would be out of debt one day. $10 here, $25 there, and the bank account starts growing.
More accurately, if you pay yourself 10% of every paycheck and invest it wisely, you will not only get out of debt but will be on your way to financial freedom. Or maybe you start paying yourself 5% or 3%. One minor adjustment will make all the difference in your finances.
Some folks don’t give anything to worthy causes because they cannot give large amounts of money. Generosity is put off time and again until they finally have abundance. Then one day, abundance arrives, and they are still not very generous. They have erroneously concluded that it would take a significant financial windfall to become helpful. Not so. Generosity starts by sharing $1 here, $5 there, and so on. If you don’t give a dollar of your one hundred, you’ll not likely share one hundred thousand of your million. A small gift not only changes the world, but it also changes you.
People lose weight one meal or snack at a time and add one short workout a few times a week, and your fear of bathroom scales will diminish. Minor changes add up to pounds lost and health gained.
Humans are enamored with things spectacular. We don’t just want a bowl, we want a Superbowl! We don’t need a Mac, we need a Big Mac. We don’t just want a dunk; we want a slam-dunk.
Jesus humored our need for the breathtaking. We wanted miracles, astounding healings, thousands fed and a conqueror on a white horse trouncing our enemies. The Miracle-Worker obliged us for a while demonstrating his personal claims were true. But, like so many people of his time, it is easy to miss the real point.
He was mostly concerned that we give one cup of water or slice of bread to a needy person. He wanted his followers to shine their light just one day and one selfless act at a time. He thought it wise for us to curb one lie, one juicy piece of gossip, or one lustful glance. One might lead to two and two to three. The Owner of everything found a widow dropping one penny into the offering plate far more impressive than all the coins of the others combined. The Shepherd was not as interested in a huge flock as he was in the one silly mutton that wondered off.
What one degree of change would benefit your life right now? You can handle one degree of improvement, and before you know it, you’ll be boiling! When you do, reward yourself with some corn on the cob. When you do, position yourself over the pan of water and observe the miracle of one degree.
Live Inspired!
Don Mark
