The Reward of Listening

Katie Davis, a young missionary to Uganda, was on her way home from the supermarket on a cold and rainy night in 2007. She was looking forward to going home, where her nice, warm bed awaited her. Then she saw him, soaked and shaking from the cold, huddled on the corner of the street. Just then, she did not want to bother-she wanted to get going, but Something told her to help. Katie took the little fellow into the store, dried him off, and bought him some food. Before parting, she gave him her sweatshirt to keep warm, a small wooden cross, and some change to afford the ride home. As the boy was leaving, he shouted, “What is your name?”

“Katie,” she replied. “Auntie Katie.”

“Me, I am Daniel,” he yelled, and was gone.

 About a year or so after this occurred, Katie was walking into the same store when she was engulfed in a big hug. “Auntie Katie!” said a little voice. It was Daniel, grinning from ear to ear. He urged her to wait, and after going to the nearest street vendor, returned with a popsicle for her. Then he pulled the small wooden cross from his pocket and declared, “I have never stopped praying for you every day.”

 And to think, she hadn’t wanted to stop. What if she hadn’t? It’s solemn to think how different things might have been for Daniel then. At the same time, it’s awe-inspiring to think that, because she listened, GOD was able to touch that little boy’s heart. 

Not only can we be used by GOD to reach someone when we choose to listen, but we honor Him personally when we do so. “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto Me.” Matthew 25:40. So the next time you’re faced with the choice to respond to or ignore a cry for help (silent or otherwise), remember, you aren’t only affecting the Daniel in front of you, but your Redeemer as well. May we all choose to honor Him and be channels of blessing to our fellow men.

GOD bless,

Adelaide

Ambitious for GOD

"Ambition" is generally a word associated with something bad. For example, according to Dictionary.com's first definition, it means:

"an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment:" Power, honor, fame, and wealth we know as Christians is not to be sought after ambitiously.

However, part of the definition is "an earnest desire for some type of achievement"-that could mean anything, and some synonyms are "yearning" and "zeal". I think the usefulness of ambition all depends on what your goal in life is. I don't think it is necessarily evil. If we as GOD's followers were as ambitious for the His glory as men of the world are for power, etc., think of what life would be like!

And so, may we ponder the words of Proverbs 4:25-27: "Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil." And yet more, the words of Christ: "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." As we do, let us resolve to repent of and put away every thing that causes us to lose our focus-bringing glory to GOD. 

In closing, here is a quote from Counsels on Stewardship by Ellen White, chapter 66 "Treasure in Heaven", pages 342-343: "'The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.' If the eye is single, if it is directed heavenward, the light of heaven will fill the soul, and earthly things will appear insignificant and uninviting. The purpose of the heart will be changed, and the admonition of Jesus will be heeded. You will lay up your treasure in heaven. Your thoughts will be fixed upon the great rewards of eternity. All your plans will be made in reference to the future, immortal life. You will be drawn toward your treasure. You will not study your worldly interest; but in all your pursuits the silent inquiry will be, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" Bible religion will be woven into your daily life."

Blessings,

Adelaide