God has designed this world's DNA so that just one man can start a great movement; and this truth is not confined to righteous causes. Look at Hitler, Lenin, Hussein, and Bin Laden. In American life, radical feminism, humanistic education, and the homosexual "rights" movements all began by small groups with loud voices.

For some reason, most Christians cower before today's prevailing forces. But occasionally, a Martin Luther stands up and changes the world.

What does it take to start a movement? The Apostle Paul knew. Whether he understood in advance the broad influence his life would carry or was just obediently taking each next step, we don't know. What we do know is that his singular life began a tsunami.

If we look prayerfully, we can find the secret in Paul's writings. Like a vein of gold running through a mountain cave, the thread can be seen. We need to follow his lead so that God can use us in a similar fashion. Paul's parting comments to the Ephesian elders hold such a nugget:

And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.

But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:22-24).

Life: Not As Important As Mission

Somewhere along the way, Paul had settled the issue of his life's purpose: to speak to as many as he could, wherever he could, for as long as he could, regardless of the cost.

This mission carried weight because it was a divine call. He had received it from his LORD. Lord was not a mere name to Paul; it described Christ's authority over Paul's affections. He knew that GOD had spoken. He cared not what man wanted him to do or would do to him. Christ had charged him, and that was enough.

His mission was personal, as well: he spoke of "my course." Other men would have other callings, but this was what Paul was uniquely created to do. Every day, every conversation, every experience was about this mission.

Comfort and convenience, personal recognition and material gain, pleasure and recreation were not concerns. Paul viewed his body as a tool to accomplish God's work, and it was utterly at the Lord's disposal. His "earnest expectation and hope," as he told the Philippians, was that "Christ will even now, as always, be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death" (Phil. 1:20).

Men like this are unstoppable. Men like this start movements.

Starting: Not As Important As Finishing

Many men start things. Some shoot out like rockets but end with a fizzle. The movement they dreamed of crashes, because movement stoppers are everywhere:

• Hidden sins
• Unethical practices
• Impure motives
• Sideways energy
• Naiveté of the schemes of the devil, who loves to promote seemingly legitimate shortcuts to make the movement go faster—shortcuts which can be explained in almost biblical terms
• Tiredness that is not properly addressed
• Feelings of entitlement to the perks of increased responsibility
• Swapping the servant's apron for the CEO's suit
• Resting on past successes
• Emotional attachments to methods instead of mission
• Prayerlessness, which indicates self-sufficient pride
• Creeping separation from Christ—most lethal of all

Finishing isn't easy. It calls for relentless intimacy with Christ.

• Only His continued presence can make us sensitive to the Enemy's diversions and keep us on course.
• Only His strength can sustain us in the hard turns and the uphill stretches.
• Only His sufficient grace can empower us with bursts of divine energy.
• Only His comfort can lift us in moments of loneliness when others have left our side.
• Only His person can change lives and give the blessing of lasting results.

Plan to run through the finish line. You just might be surprised, when you look back, at the movement God started through you!