Rich Dixon is back for a new year.

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To wrap up our time in Jackson, Mississippi, we need to flash forward a year.

We were invited back to speak at Galloway Church. When I finished my presentation, this fellow walked up and told me a remarkable story.

He was in that audience of homeless men a year earlier. He heard my story and was impacted by my line: “If an old bald crippled guy can handcycle 1500 miles, what can you do?”

He walked out of that meeting and checked himself into rehab. He’d been drug-free ever since.

The church hired him as a custodian. Turns out that you can overcome your past, that appearances can deceive. He worked his way up to being facilities manager of this large, historic church.

I had no idea all that was happening. If I hadn’t gone back to that church, I would never have known.

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This picture reminds me – I have no idea about the impact of my actions. You and I plan and scheme, but all the while Jesus is using our efforts, often in ways we never intended and might never see.

So, we follow. We heed Isaiah’s ancient call: Learn to do right, seek justice. Defend the oppressed.

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My wife, Becky, talks about the “300 touches” required to help someone reach a life-altering decision like following Jesus or choosing rehab. Too often, we celebrate that final “touch” (I led her to Jesus!) and ignore all the prior encounters Jesus wove together to create that moment.

I don’t believe “my story” got this guy drug-free. I’m certain Jesus was at work in his life before I showed up, patiently leading him through experiences that prepared his heart to hear and act on my challenge.

We do what we can, where we are, with what we have… and trust Jesus for the outcome.

To be continued…