[Faith-talk] Daily Thought for Thursday, March 27, 2014

[Paul]

Well folks, here it is already, the last Thursday in March, although for some of you it's already Friday morning.  At any rate, I hope that, by God's matchless grace and His providential care, that you are all doing well.

I wonder how many of you have ever heard of Steven Thompson? Probably none of you.  However this writer from Iowa several years ago wrote an article that I shared with many of you last year.  Although there is nothing in it to outwardly show one's Christian faith, please read my comments at the end.  His contribution is entitled "The Picking Principle" and is rendered as follows:

It seemed hardly worth the effort, when I only spotted three ripe black raspberries.  The early birds had gotten the berries on this sunny morning, leaving me with little to pick.  Still there were three berries and I decided to harvest what the birds had left.

Approaching the thorny bushes, I carefully maneuvered to pick the three berries.  As I moved the foliage, another cluster of hidden berries appeared.  As I moved leaves to gather that cluster, more berries appeared in the undergrowth.

I soon discovered that my three berries had multiplied several times.  Each time I gathered another cluster of ripened berries, more clusters would appear.  Eventually I headed back to my house with nearly a quart of black raspberries, enough to accompany several bowls of ice cream in the coming months.  Of course, I would never have the berries had I not taken the effort to cash in on a very small opportunity of picking only three berries.

The "Picking Principle" came into my life many years ago as a gardener.  I discovered when harvesting a crop, one always needed to take advantage of the smallest opportunities, because there usually was more hidden produce that never appeared until one ventured to pick the visible produce.  Prior to realizing this principle, I often lost produce in the garden because I only looked in accordance with what I could see.  Thus, produce hidden by the foliage often went unharvested and rotted.  Since those early losses, I've found it's best to examine plants closer as harvest time approaches because oftentimes the best produce is hidden.  I've found, too, that this principle has applications outside of gardening.

This past winter (2010-2011) I found myself being laid off.  The first couple of months I sat around the house hoping that I might be called back to work.  One day I was offered an opportunity to work part time for a small business.  At first glance, there were several problems:  taking the job meant a 60-mile, round-trip commute and after expenses, my take-home pay would amount to about $60 for several days' labor.

While others felt my venture into the part-time job was a waste of time, I looked past the obvious, and watched as I picked up the hidden benefits.  I soon found myself losing some of the weight I had picked up sitting around.  I felt better physically and mentally.  I gained some new skills and the job brought structure back into my life by having to be at work on time.

Five-and-a-half months into my unemployment I discovered the biggest benefit when I was called back to my regular job.  My part-time work had helped me maintain my physical stamina, which helped me readjust to my physically demanding full-time job.  Like berry picking, I again realized small and insignificant opportunities led to something far more beneficial.

The "Picking Principle" was introduced to me through gardening, but I find it benefits me in every aspect of life.  The Bible points to this truth where it says if we are faithful in the smaller things in life we will be given larger opportunities.

And there you have Brother Steven's article which I trust was a blessing to you.

As stated earlier, I've gleaned some insights from reading his article originally several years ago.  This principle can also be applied to reading God's Word.  Many people just read it on the surface, probably because they don't understand what they are reading, even if it's printed in English or one's native language.  When Philip the evangelist caught up with the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, he asked him directly if he understood what he was reading.  Given a negative response, Philip explained the passage in question.  That's why a good Bible teacher or good godly pastor can bring insights into certain obscure or difficult parts of Scripture.  So, look beneath the surface of your reading the Word, as Steven did in berry picking, and I guarantee you'll find gems of wisdom that you probably never knew existed.

And now may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just keep us safe, individually and collectively, in these last days in which we live.  Lord willing, tomorrow there will be another daily thought message for you.  Your Christian friend and brother, Paul