On Saturday, our community experienced a power outage. Our power was back on by Saturday night, but it was off for 5 hours. Why was it off? Because of one person. One person lost control of his truck and crashed into a major power line, knocking out thousands of peoples' power, including our own. So, that reminded me of one other person's actions that affected thousands and thousands of people. You probably haven't heard of him. Does Edward Kimball ring a bell? No? Well, Mr. Kimball was Dwight L. Moody's Sunday School teacher. He was also the person whom God worked through to lead Moody to Christ. D. L. Moody, the famous Evangelist, when eighteen years of age, was a boot salesman in his uncle's store in Boston. His Sunday School teacher was a Mr. Kimball, and he had set his heart on winning the young man for Christ. After praying about the matter, he arranged to visit him at the boot store. "I was determined," to use his own words, "to speak to him about Christ and about his soul, and started down to Holton's boot store. When I was nearly there I began to wonder whether I ought to go in just then during business hours. I thought my call might embarrass the boy, and that when I went away the other clerks would ask who I was, and taunt him with my efforts in trying to make him a good boy. In the meantime I had passed the store, and, discovering this, I determined to make a dash for it, and have it over at once. I found him in the back part of the building wrapping up shoes. I went up to him at once, and putting my hand on his shoulder, I made what I felt afterwards was a very weak plea for Christ. I don't know just what words I used, nor could Mr. Moody tell. I simply told him of Christ's love for him, and the love Christ wanted in return. That was all there was. It seemed the young man was just ready for the light that then broke upon him, and there in the back of that store in Boston, D. L. Moody gave himself and his life to Christ."
We can be Mr. Kimballs. One action on our part can affect thousands of people's lives. The non-Christian co-worker that we witness to can become on-fire for God. Like Moody, she/he might in turn witness to thousands more people. That classmate that will never be saved might turn to Christ if you witness to him. You might say, "I could never be a Mr. Kimball. I don't have enough experience." Or, "Me, a Mr. Kimball? No way! I just - well, I just couldn't!" But you can! With God's help. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." God will work through us to do amazing things, if we are ready to open our hearts and minds to be used by him as Mr. Kimball was.