|
It was an incredible performance!
The time was sunset with traces of
reddish-orange colored cloud streaking across the sky. It was a glorious autumn
evening. Concerned about a strained relationship between two people, I sat on a
bench looking at the smooth placid waters of the river. I prayed, waited and
stared at the waters of the river.
Suddenly there was a splash in the water! A
long dark form appeared. Surely, it wasn’t an over-sized walleye – a common fish
in that area. Then, a second long dark form appeared above the surface of the
water. What was it, I thought? Breaking free of my previous thought pattern, I
began to walk cautiously toward the edge of the river bank so that these “forms”
would not be scared away. At last, the identity of these creatures became clear
–they were beavers! A great Canadian symbol.
These two beavers played around in the
river for a couple of minutes. Then, they would come together and nudge or
touch each other. There was the pattern of a nudge and then separation and then
another nudge. Why? Do beavers need regular touches or nudges of love,
encouragement and affirmation?
One thing is certain. In our rhythm of
rest, work and play, we all need to provide nudges of love and encouragement.
All human beings have this need. Christians in the midst of a constant
spiritual battle certainly need regular touches of love and affirmation — actions
that say “I love you” or “I need you”. These words were written to Christians of
the first century, A.D.:
“Be
kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God has forgiven you”. (Ephesians
4:32)
Be intentional in giving someone the “touch
of love” today. Start with your marriage. Ruth Graham said that “marriage is the union of two good
forgivers.” Read I Corinthians ch.13
and write each verse in your own words (a paraphrase). Then, list specific ways
in which you can show the love of Christ to someone near you. Make a list of
actions which you can do that says to each of your family that says “I love
you”.
Then, enlarge your circle of influence to
others in need.
Listen to the voice of our Lord Jesus who says: “As I have loved you, so you must love one
another!” (John 13:34) Beaver nudges in Jesus’ name!
Dr. Stewart Brown
Pastor
|
