Long Walk Part of Gift
December 13, 2019 2 CommentsThis morning, I was walking the kids through their bible curriculum. This story from 30 Days to Understanding the Bible really impacted me. I am preparing to teach through the visit of the Magi this week and this missionary testimony of a "long walk" that was in itself, part of the gift, really touched my heart as I considered the long trek that the Wise Men took to follow the star. Then I thought of the EVEN LONGER WALK that our Lord took in leaving heaven, coming to earth and the agonizingly long walk bearing the cross and I wanted to share this excerpt from their reading with you...
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A MISSIONARY MINISTERING IN THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDS WAS teaching his people about Christmas. "The giving of gifts is a spontaneous act of celebration over an extremely joyous event. And that," he explained, "is why many people give gifts to others at Christmas time. It is an act of celebration over the joyous occasion of the birth of Christ."
Following this teaching, one of the young men wanted to give the missionary a gift for Christmas, but since it was a very poor island, presents were not readily available. On Christmas morning, a knock came at the hut of the missionary. ary. At the door, he found the young man, who then gave him an extremely rare and particularly beautiful seashell that was found only at the distant end of the island.
The missionary thanked the young man for giving him such a rare and beautiful gift from such a distance, to which the young man replied, "Long walk part of gift." What a beautiful sentiment.
"Long walk part of gift."
Such was also true of the apostle Paul, who gave up a life of comfort and safety ty and took upon himself the arduous life of a missionary to take the message of the gospel to the Gentile people in the surrounding nations.
Max Anders. 30 Days to Understanding the Bible (Kindle Locations 801-806). Kindle Edition.
2 Comments
Eric Loyer Dec 14, 2019 @ 7:28 am
It seems that all my bridges have been burned
But you say 'That's exactly how this grace thing works'
It's not the long walk home that will change this heart
But the welcome I receive with every start
I've always loved those lyrics. But as I read your comment, I'm wondering if perhaps its both? The grace of a restart and the long walks are both used in our lives in shape us and change us
Richard Bergstrom Dec 13, 2019 @ 1:46 pm
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