Devotion 32
Bread Upon the Water
The Kilroy of the Bahamas I mentioned last week cast his or her bread upon the water with the sign "Christo De Ama" — Christ Loves You — on the pier at Nassau.
It was a small thing to do, but most people really do learn about Christ through the small daily living kinds of things Christians do. When those who haven't discovered the love of God fail to see those little things or worse see nothing different in the life of Christians, we have failed miserably in the most basic goal of Christian living.
The Apostle Paul wrote that we shouldn't get tired of doing good things because, he said, we will reap the benefit if we don't give up.*
Solomon, the wisest of all men wrote: "Cast your bread upon the water: for thou shalt find it after many days."** In verse six, he gives us basically the same advice in spite of the fact that we don't know the future or what it holds. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for though knowest not (which shall succeed), either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good."**
Is this cynicism or reality? Reality, I say. I believe will fall out for good rather than evil, for good rather than apathetic neutrality.
"Christo De Ama." How much will that reap for the kingdom of God?
If I am a cynic, I reply, "Probably nothing," But as a Christian I should not be a cynic.
If I am very conservative, I say, "Maybe a few souls." That's better than a cynical attitude, but how low the expectation.
Full of faith, I can reply, "The skies the limit!" Overly optimistic? Polly Anna? It might seem that way, but who am I to limit the hand of God?
So here I am casting my bread upon the water. The result is not for me to determine; that's God's business. I'm to do the casting. The fisherman doesn't catch the big bass by practicing or waiting for absolutely the right conditions. He catches something by casting into the lake or river or creek. You should have seen the catch of a teenager at Camper's Paradise last night: three beauties, one stripped bass weighing 20 pounds!
You and I know when God wants us to cast our bread upon the water. It might be a mental or heart nudge to make a call, send a card, pray for someone in particular, give a gift, help someone in some special way, smile at everyone you pass, teach a Sunday School class, speak before a group. The list is endless, filled with big and little castings, but the size is not the issue. The willingness to cast is.
My mother used to say "Talks cheap takes money to buy land." I can say anything I like about believing in God, loving Christ; but if I don't follow through with actions, my words don't carry any weight.
If my Christian walk is going to mean anything to anyone but myself I have to do more than hug it to myself. I have to share it, in whatever way God leads me. And so do you.
Perhaps if more of us would do more than clasp our salvation to ourselves for insurance, our lives, our family life, the life of our communities, our states, our nation would change. Perhaps if more of us committed ourselves to actions rather than silent acceptance of God's goodness, we could make a difference in the perilous future of this country.
For sure, nothing will happen if we all just sit here on our hands.
Who will make a difference if we don't?
Cast your bread upon the water, and I'll cast mind. Then God can use all of us to make a difference. I'm sure He wants to.
* Galatians 6:9
** Ecclesiastics 11:1, 6
For Further Consideration:
Luke 6:20-49, verse 38 in particular
Galatians 6:7-10
Malachi 6:10
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