On our way to Peggy's Cove,
Nova Scotia, we stopped to view the Swissair Flight 111 Memorial. This marked
the spot where 229 passengers perished, just off of these very shores. I
couldn't help but wonder how many of them had heard the good news about Jesus'
resurrection!
Glancing over the shoreline, I noticed how wild and
serene it was. The pools of water reflected the beauty from above … But wait!
Was that movement I saw out there … Was that MY kid hopping along from one
bolder to another?
"Hey!" I stammered. "Wait!" And then I started down
the path to reach him. He would most certainly need my help!
The only problem was, there wasn't any path!
Fortunately my older son, who knows that I haven't yet
grown mountain goat feet, came to my rescue. Nevertheless, before I knew it I
had unawaringly stepped into a pool of
muddy
water. As I felt the cold liquid penetrate my shoe and sock, soaking right
through to my foot, there was only one thought that came to my mind: Yuck!
I still was far away from my younger son one, who
appeared to be revelling in the thought of experiencing the Atlantic Ocean up
close, and I faced a dilemma. I had to do something about my wet foot, but at
the same time I wanted to be there in case he needed my help!
It never occurred to me that perhaps I was the one who
needed help, and I made the ultimate sacrifice! I gave up my own comfort to limp
along in my ice-cold, sopping wet footwear, so that I could be there for my son.
I wonder how
much am I willing to sacrifice to tell of God's love? After all, God has done so
much for me! But wet feet! Who wants to walk around with those???
It's then that I remembered the following Bible text:
"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Rom 10:15 NIV)
It doesn't matter whether they are wet or not. The
only thing that truly matters is that those feet are heading in the right
direction: To sharing the love of
Christ with others!
If we are truly hungering for God, this urge to share
will compel us to do the impossible! Remember, Jesus' return is imminent!
"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in
the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
(Matt 24:14 NIV)
Yes there will
be some
yucky wet paths ahead, but the outcome will be worthwhile.
"Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is
greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.
If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also." (John 15:20 NIV)
Love cannot be stopped by yuck. Love compels us to
share and to bring the total happiness that comes from God to those around us.
Oh no! Now my other foot is wet as well!
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
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.