Would you like to apply for the following job?
"Wanted: Adventuresome, resourceful individuals for the job of the century! A
real paradise for the taking!
"Job Responsibilities: Enforce law and order; keep track of activities and
people, mostly isolated cabin dwellers, over a region of thousands of miles;
keep said people in touch with the outside world (sorry, there are no radios);
discourage liquor trade among the natives; and act as customs agent, mining
recorder, undertaker, game warden, dentist and doctor.
"Job Requirements: The ability to navigate river rapids, ride horseback, and
utilize snowshoes and dog sleds (which requires feeding the dogs, if you want to
get anywhere); the willingness to log, haul and build own office and endure long
periods of isolation (candidates will be shut off from the outside world for at
least 8 months of the year), mosquitoes, black flies, a monotonous diet, extreme
cold, and no internet or television.
"Candidates should be self-determined, between twenty-two to thirty-two years of
age, powerfully built (be a superman!); they should be willing to depend on
local First Nations for assistance and guidance on the many miles of rugged
trails (no paved roads, sorry!); and they must abhor any drink stronger than
water. No training or equipment provided."
Sounds fun, doesn't it?
What? You're not interested? How come?
Although never listed that way, this was the job description of the Northwest
Mounted Policemen (NWMP) who served in the Yukon during the late 1800s and
1900s. Although a force of fifty men had been recommended, only nineteen were
assigned to the job. These nineteen men received basic training, but no matter
how extensively you are trained, you cannot be an expert in everything required
by the above description.
What the NWMP lacked in training and experience however, they made up for with
their caring attitudes. Because of the NWMP, the Yukon did not have the crime
scenes that Alaskan cities endured. In fact, crime in the Yukon was very rare!
But more importantly, these men were highly respected throughout the Yukon, and
people, white and native alike, welcomed them into their homes with open arms.
Reflecting on this, I realize how often we impact others, not necessarily with
our abilities, but with our willingness to help out. It doesn't matter if we
have a doctorate and 25 years of experience. Without love and the desire to
help, these things are nothing more than decorations. The only services that
will be remembered are those rendered out of love.
I have never heard a student exclaim: "My teacher has a doctorate! Wow!" I have
heard, however, students shout out: "Hey! I'm going to be in Mrs. "D's" class!
She's so cool! She really cares about her students. I can't wait!"
It's love that makes the differences, friends. And that's just what Christians
are called to do. Like the NWMP, we don't need to be experts in everything. All
we need is a willing heart that reflects the love of Christ.
"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this
all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John
13:34-35 NIV)
"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one
has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is
made complete in us." (1 John 4:11-12 NIV)
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a
resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can
fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move
mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor
and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing." (1 Cor
13:1-3 NIV)
"Euh… I need some help. My dog just ran away."
What will be your response?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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