To an outsider, the main
character in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Tom, had a small
circle of influence. He only served three masters throughout his lifetime. Yet
he earnestly prayed for and served this small circle, which included the
household and other slaves, faithfully. And the influence he had on those close
to him was mighty powerful.
His was a voice and an
example of hope to the captive slaves. His was a victory in loving his
masters--a foolish master he freely forgave, an extravagant master he brought to
conversion, and a purely evil master who was tormented by that perfect love. His
was a faith that shunned evil and gave no excuses to allow himself to do
wickedness. His was a power “so deeply rooted in goodness, as to flourish and
grow stronger amid discouragement and decay.” (pg 292) His was a testimony of
the Word not unlike a two-edged sword because he spoke the truth. His was a life
that he truly knew was not his own because it was bought and paid for by One who
could keep it. His was a will wrapped up in the will of his Lord.
At each stage of his
life, Tom’s roots deepened and his influence grew. When he was sold from his
first master, Mr. Shelby, and being torn apart from his wife and three children,
he thought of them and was grateful that he was sold and not them. As he lived
with the St. Clare family, the angelic character of young Eva deepened his roots
and made him even more Christ-like. Even when his master, Augustine St. Clare,
told Tom that he would set him free soon, Tom desired to stay with Augustine for
he knew that his master needed him in his conversion to Christ. When he faced
the wicked and degraded management of his last master, Mr. Legree, who also
wanted Tom to manage the other slaves in like manner, Tom meekly and powerfully
vowed to never take part in such wickedness. This purity of motive and person
further contrasted the violent hatred of his master. However it awakened life
from the poor creatures who, for some time, lived more like a herd of
domesticated animals than free-thinking people.
God, the Father, knows
each one of us. To an outsider, it’s impossible to understand how a God of
billions can know us and influence us individually. But it’s because of His
intimate love that He can care for a depraved slave like Tom, or a simple mom
like me. It’s because of God’s love for me and each of us that He wants us to
brighten the lives of those few we are close to. My circle of influence does not
need to encompass the world. But I can make a world of difference to a few. And
as I live that way and love others that way, I can tap into that influential
power that Tom had learned to tap into. And the only way I can do so is to
realize, as Tom did, that my life is not really my own, because it was bought
and paid for by One who could keep it. And when I can wrap my will up in the
will of my Lord, the Lord will magnify my power and influence.
By Angie Patterson
Angie, That is so true! I know so often that my eyes are set afar off. I want the voice of an angel for this or that. But really " I ought to be content" with what the Lord has given me. And content isn't just sitting still it is doing like Tom did in whatsoever circumstances he was placed in. He was faithful,he was grateful. He had influence because he controlled that small circle of influence we all have that makes the greatest influence of all... OUR OWN HEART!! Good job! I need to do this too!!
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