What is our purpose for living on planet earth? Is it for working,
eating, sleeping, and from time to time, having some fun, whatever this
means to us. Are we truly fulfilled?
Or were we created for more?
I wonder what it means to walk in Jesus' footsteps.
It's true
that we tend to focus on ourselves, but what do we do about others,
especially when they feel dejected, abandoned, with no hint of hope? Too
often we act according to this parable that is circulating on the
African continent:
One day Jesus asked each one of his disciples
to pick up a stone to carry for Him. Naturally, John picked up the
largest stone he could find. Peter, however, had a different perspective
on this. He picked up the smallest pebble he could find.
Jesus
led them to a mountaintop. Once there, the stones were transformed into
bread. Jesus encouraged them to eat what they had been carrying. John
had plenty, but Peter was left hungry. He eyed John with pitiful eyes.
John didn't hesitate to share his good fortune with his friend.
Had the disciples learned anything that day? Let's find out.
Many
weeks later. Jesus asked again his disciples to carry a stone for Him.
This time, though, He led them to the River Jordan, and this time, He
asked them to cast their stone into the river. Every one of His
disciples looked befuddled. What was the meaning of this? These stones
were quite heavy, and I am certain you can guess who picked up the
biggest one this time. Now each one of them had no choice but to throw
their stone into the river Jordan and see it sink out of sight.
The one who had carried the largest stone couldn't help but ask: "Why?"
Jesus turned to him and his fellow disciples and looked them each
straight in the eye: "Who did you carry the stone for?"
Why are
we followers of the Most High? Who are we serving?
Once we
realize that, we will have a better idea what the Kingdom of Heaven
truly means.
Now this question still remains: Who do you do this
for?
Rob Chaffart