How Our Life Should Be....
Posted by john on 11:45 PM
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| Wheeler Mission Jesus Saves John 3:16 5-13-09 IMG_3803 (Photo credit: stevendepolo) |
Unfavorable winds blow the ship off course, and when they do, the sailors
spot uncharted islands. They see half a dozen mounds rising out of the blue
South Seas waters. The captain orders the men to drop anchor and goes ashore.
He is a robust man with a barrel chest, full beard, and curious soul.
On the first island he sees nothing but sadness. Underfed
children. Tribes in conflict. No farming
or food development, no treatment for the sick, and no schools. Just simple, needy
people.
The second and following islands reveal more of the same. The captain
sighs at what he sees. “This is no life for these people.” But what can he
do?
Then he steps onto the last and largest island. The people are healthy
and well fed. Irrigation systems nourish their fields, and roads connect the
villages. The children have bright eyes and strong bodies. The captain asks the
chief for an explanation. How has this island moved so far ahead of the others?
The chief, who is smaller than the captain but every bit his equal
in confidence, gives a quick response: “Father Benjamin. He educated us in
everything from agriculture to health. He built schools and clinics and dug
wells.” The captain asks, “Can you take
me to see him?” The chief nods and signals for two tribesmen to join him. They guide
the captain over a jungle ridge to a simple, expansive medical clinic. It is
equipped with clean beds and staffed with trained caretakers. They show the
captain the shelves of medicine and introduce him to the staff. The captain, though
impressed, sees nothing of Father Benjamin. He repeats his request. “I would
like to see Father Benjamin. Can you take me to where he lives?”
The three natives look puzzled. They confer among themselves. After several minutes the chief invites, “Follow
us to the other side of the island.” They walk along the shoreline until they
reach a series of fishponds. Canals connect the ponds to the ocean. As the tide
rises, fish pass from the ocean into the ponds. The islanders then lower canal
gates and trap the fish for harvest.
Again the captain is amazed. He meets fishermen and workers, gatekeepers
and net casters. But he sees nothing of Father Benjamin. He wonders if he is making himself
clear.
“I don’t see Father Benjamin. Please take me to where he lives.” The
trio talks alone again. After some discussion the chief offers, “Let’s go up
the mountain.” They lead the captain up a steep, narrow path. After many twists
and turns the path deposits them in front of a grass-roofed chapel. The voice
of the chief is soft and earnest. “He has taught us about God.”
He escorts the captain inside and shows him the altar, a large wooden
cross, several rows of benches, and a Bible.
“Is this where Father Benjamin lives?” the captain asks. The men nod and smile. “May I talk to him?”
Their faces grow suddenly serious. “Oh, that would be impossible.”
“Why?”
“He died many years ago.”
The bewildered captain stares at the men. “I asked to see him, and
you showed me a clinic, some fish farms, and this chapel. You said nothing of
his death.” “You didn’t ask about his
death,” the chief explains. “You asked to see where he lives. We showed you.”
(Shared from Max Lucado's Outlive Your Life)
