The Story Behind Opo: Awake Series, Part 26
"Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where
there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass
away." (1 Cor 13:8 NIV)
What would you prefer: Knowledge or love? Take your time before deciding,
because the decision you make can affect your life for eternity.
And while you think about this, let me tell you a true story.
In the spring of 1955, an insignificant dolphin appeared in the bay of Opononi,
in the Northern island of New Zealand. At first nobody paid any attention to
her. She was just a dolphin, after all! But she, who was later called Opo,
cautiously approached the beach, near the wharf.
With her playful spirit and love for children, it wasn't long before her
presence in the bay attracted attention. Especially since she loved to juggle
balls and empty beer bottles on her snout!
Before anyone knew it, Opo had made world news. Multitudes traveled over dusty,
unpaved roads, crowding into tiny Opononi to see that special dolphin. She
became an overnight sensation, and as if she sensed how special she was, she
went out of her way to show the people love and to make everyone around her feel
special.
But not everybody welcomed Opo's presence in the bay. There was a group of
fishermen who were quite upset by her presence. You see, they knew that dolphins
feed on fish, and that to stay alive, they require a huge
amount of fish each day. They
worried that the waters of Opononi bay would soon be depleted of the fish that
they, themselves, needed for their livelihood. They did everything they knew to
discourage the young dolphin, even jabbing her with oars.
And how did Opo respond? She just kept on loving the people of Opononi!
On the evening of March 8, 1956, the local municipality made law that it was
an offense to molest dolphins in the Hokianga Harbour. The very next day, Opo
was found dead, jammed in a crevice between two rocks.
The people of Opononi mourned their loss. No one had shown them such love and
acceptance, even amidst hostility. Accusations flew wide, but it was never
discovered how she arrived at her untimely death.
I wonder if we, too, tend to be hostile towards others at time, because of what
we think we know about them. If our goal is not to build up those around us,
then either directly or indirectly, our actions will tear them down. It's all a
question of love.
"Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." (1 Cor 8:1 NIV)
So, what have you decided: knowledge or love?
Rob Chaffart