I just came across a story that made me pause. It’s about a man who might’ve been the most spiritually significant person of modern times and nobody even knows his name.
The story starts with Mordecai Ham, a preacher who held tent revivals back in the late 1800s and early 1900s. In 1934, he pitched his tent in Charlotte, North Carolina, and crowds showed up night after night.
One evening, two 14-year-old boys walked by. They heard Ham loudly, and boldly preaching about the love of God and decided to check it out. But when they got to the tent, it was packed. No seats left. So, they turned around and started to walk away.
That’s when an usher noticed them. He didn’t just shrug and let them go. He chased them down and said, “Come on, I’ll find you a spot.” He walked them right down the aisle, asked people to make room, and sat them together.
That night, both boys gave their lives to Christ. One of them was Billy Graham, who went on to preach the gospel to more people than anyone in history. Estimates say that 10’s of millions came to faith because of his ministry. The other was Grady Wilson, who became the first vice president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and helped organize every crusade.
But here’s what makes me pause: the man who made the biggest difference that night wasn’t Mordecai Ham, or Grady Wilson, of even Billy Graham. It was the usher, or the Mr. Dude of the story. The one guy who stepped up, stepped out, and said, come back “There’s room for you.”
Remember, we’re not always called to change the world. But we can always change somebody’s world. One word, one act of kindness, one step to make room can send ripples farther than we’ll ever see.
So here’s the question I can’t shake: Am I projecting Christ to the people around me? Am I making room for people? Is my light on a stand for all to see—or am I hiding it under a basket?
And here’s my answer: I am now—or at least I want to be. As God continues His work of sanctification in me, I see how I’ve failed Him. I’ve failed my wife, my children, and the body of believers I call family. I didn’t block the way, but I failed to clear the way. I left my wife to carry the spiritual weight I should’ve shared.
In my own home, she became the usher. She’s the one who made room for my children to be in the presence of Christ when I didn’t step up. Her steadfast desire for them to be part of the body of Christ, and her sacrifices—the time and energy she gave to facilitate their inclusion in church activities—were the prodding influence that led them into the tent. For that, I’m eternally grateful, and she is worthy of honor and respect.
Because of her faithfulness and sacrifice, I can see the grace of God at work in my children’s lives. I can watch them walk with Him, and I can know with joy that their hearts are His.
Men, be the leaders of your homes. Lead, and they will follow. Help usher your families and others into the body of Christ. Don’t be a stumbling block. Don’t let tiredness, or time, or introversion become idols that keep you from being the usher God has called you to be.
And like the unknown usher in the story, let this be your guiding verse:
“Follow me as I follow Christ.” — 1 Corinthians 11:1