How to Find Your Spark and Ignite the World

When God Made Man, He said it was good.

We Bleed the Same. This was my song for the week.

As I listened to the words of the song I was so reminded by the power of one person bringing multiple individuals together. This had me reflecting on a couple of points in history and saw this being repeated time and time again. It took one person to start the spark. Okay, don’t go singing it only takes a spark to get a fire going :). Well, yes you can., we will join in with you.

It took one person to stand up. Do you remember Tank Man, the unidentified Chinese man who stood in front of, imagine this, military tanks leaving Tiananmen Square on June 5, 1989? Yes, 31 years ago. It took one person to share a dream that was burning inside of him in front of a crowd of 250,000 people on August 28, 1963. 57 years ago. It took one person to demonstrate what he believed in his own words, “it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die”, Nelson Mandela, 20 April 1964. Twenty-Six years later he stood free and with a voice against the system of Apartheid inspired his people to raise (Feb. 11, 1990). Later he became the President of the country, May 10, 1994.

It took one person to take a knee at the singing of the American National Anthem amidst ridicule and criticism and ultimately at the expense of his job, Colin Kaepernick, September 1, 2016. It took one person to guide this man in his stand against social injustice and police brutality by encouraging him to kneel and not sit, Former NFL player and ex-Green Beret Nate Boyera, August 30, 2016. It took one person to die in front of us all to realize that the black experience continues to be a struggle around the world. That bleeding soul has made us realize that we can no longer remain silent to inhumane behaviours. We can no longer remain silent, numb, insensitive, or accepting to ancient programming that dictates to us a story of lies.

Israel had a prophet who guided the king at a time when the Syrians were attempting to conquer them. It was discovered that this prophet was giving good advice to his king which allowed them to evade the attacks. The Syrian king seeking to eliminate this threat, sent his army to get the prophet. Surrounded by chariots, horses, and a great host, this one-man encouraged his servant to not be afraid. Often we think we are standing alone when there is a host behind us.

And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
(2 Kings 6:16, 17)

It only takes a spark
To get a fire going
And soon all those around
Can warm up in its glowing
That’s how it is with God’s love
Once you’ve experienced it
You spread His love to everyone
You want to pass it on
(Pass It On, Kurt Kaiser)

Take your trip back into history and see all the individuals and what they did to change the world. As a believer, Christ made the ultimate sacrifice. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, John 3:16. One person, One Love, our duty to the existence of humanity.

So, what was your song for the week? Are you ready to spark a flame to positively change the world?

Let’s all join hands in the song with the Morehouse College Choir, We Shall Overcome.

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O. Stephen is passionate about words and believes that words can Inspire Change, Connect People, Perspectives and their Stories to create new possibilities. A published author and founder for Released Expressions Publishing, he writes daily to experience the power of the written word. He fosters growth through listening and learning to shape perspectives and bridging ideas.

He believes every individual can attain their full potential by Starting with a Word. O. Stephen is leading a movement to inspire people to Release their own Expressions. It is this vision that drives him daily to see others realize their superpower and deliver at work, home and play every day.

An avid Toastmaster and a member of the Toronto Writer’s Collective (TWC), O. Stephen carries his badge as a Mental Health Advocate. These offer him the motivation to stay grounded and be committed to serving the community. He is a dad to two (2) amazing girls. He is driven each day to live a life of gratitude and that’s just how he seeks to end each chapter. #1T518

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