The One

If we are visionary Christians, then we are constantly "disturbed" by the need to walk more intimately with God and to have a greater impact on the lives of the people with whom we have community. I have written exhaustively about the price of success as defined by the scriptures and not by the culture. Bloodied face, broken body, stranded, starved... these were some of the Apostle Pauls recollections of the "joys" of successful ministry he had to endure. I recently was on one of my favorite blogs where I read a number of different quotes that had been submitted by different people. Some of them were profound while others were bordering on obnoxious (just my opinion).

Paul and other modern day Christians like him, became successful because they recognized early on how to define success. Such people are tenacious in the pursuit of their purpose and this drives others to follow them, knowing that wherever they end up is a pre-determined destination as opposed to a random chance happening. One of the more profound quotes I read on the blog really inspired me to examine this fact a little closer. The quote was:

Of every one hundred men, ten shouldn't be there. eighty are nothing but targets. Nine are real fighters... we are lucky to have them... they make the battle. Ah, but the One, One of them is a warrior... and he will bring the others back.

- Hericletus (circa 500 B.C.)

Remember Neo in the Matrix? He was undoubtedly "The One." The Apostle Paul was undoubtedly "The One," which explains how come one who didn't come to faith until after the death of Jesus could account for having written two-thirds of the New Testament. Successful Christians are usually "The One." The ones who define success differently from the secular worldview. The ones who typically bring the others back, or, as the case may be, lead them to where they are going. Which one are you? Have you heard or read any quotes recently that profoundly impacted you? Please share.