Too Many OptionsDear Reader,
Have you ever been frustrated because the person in front of you took toolong to order? Whenever I go to Starbucks, I get a cup of black coffee. Ichoose between decaf and regular, and between tall and grande. But otherpeople are customizing their drinks, choosing from five types of milk, ninesyrups, and six sauces. When there are too many options, it slows us downbecause many mistakenly believe that choosing what we think we wantwill make us happy. I believe the experts with the most sensitive noses andpalates should guide us to what is best for us to drink. By respecting theirexpertise, we learn to appreciate what is most valuable.
Similarly, in the church at Corinth, Paul observed that people were toofocused on their personal preferences. Instead of submitting to trustedleaders to grow in the gospel, they divided into factions that argued overwhich leaders were the best based on superficial qualities such as publicspeaking ability, appearance, or social reputation. Paul urged disciples ofJesus to please God rather than their selfish desires.
Ruth exemplifies the heart of submission. Instead of choosing among allpossible options after the death of her husband, she stayed loyal to hermother-in-law because she had committed to the God of Israel. Like Ruth,
let us remove from our lives anything that displeases God, and commit toserving Him from our lives.
Walking with Jesus, - P-1
Hannah‘s Special ChildMany years had passed since the Israelites had left Egypt and entered thePromised Land. Some of them still worshipped God at the beautiful tentthat their ancestors had brought with them from the desert. One year, ayoung woman called Hannah decided to make a journey to the specialtent. Hannah was married, but she had no children, which made her verysad. When she arrived at God‘s tent, she prayed, "Dear God, if you willonly give me a son, I will give him back to you, to serve you here forever."
The next year, Hannah gave birth to a son. She called him "Samuel",
which means "asked from God". When Samuel was old enough, Hannahtook him to see God‘s beautiful tent. She was going to fulfil her promiseto give her son back to God. She gave the little boy to the priests wholooked after God‘s tent. They would now take care of him and teach himto serve God. Hannah visited Samuel every year, and as he grew biggershe would bring him new clothes that she had made for him.
One night, God called, "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel thought it was Eli thepriest, but Eli said, "It wasn‘t me. Go back to bed."
Then God called again. "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel went to Eli again, butagain the priest said it wasn‘t him. When it happened a third time, Elirealized it was God calling, and he told Samuel that next time he shouldsay, "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening."
God called again, so Samuel replied, "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening."
God gave Samuel a message for Eli and his family. And so Samuel beganto be a prophet while he was still a boy. - P-1
Zechariah and the AngelZechariah was a priest. He and his wife Elizabeth were sad because theyhad no children. For many years they had hoped and prayed for a child,
but now they were too old.
One day, Zechariah was working in the Temple in Jerusalem whensuddenly he saw an angel standing next to him! Zechariah wasfrightened, and he started to back away. Then the angel spoke.
"Don‘t be afraid. God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elizabeth will havea son, and you must call him ‘John‘. He will be a great prophet, filled withGod‘s Spirit, and he will guide the people back to God."
(Gen 17: 15~16.17~19.
18:9~15.>Zechariah couldn‘t believe it. "How can this happen?" he exclaimed.
"Elizabeth and I are far too old!"
"I am Gabriel," said the angel. "I stand in God‘s presence. Now, becauseyou didn‘t believe me, you won‘t be able to speak again until it happens."
With that, the angel disappeared. And so did Zechariah‘s voice.
The weeks went by, and then one day Elizabeth said to Zechariah, "We‘regoing to have a baby!" Zechariah‘s face glowed with happiness, but stillhe couldn‘t speak.
Shineradiate은짓하다Later that year, the baby was born. It was a boy! Friends and relativesfrom all around came to celebrate. They knew this must be a very specialchild, and they asked what his name would be. Zechariah beckoned fora writing tablet. Everything went quiet and they all watched as he wrote,
"His name is John." And suddenly Zechariah could speak again! He sang asong of praise to God, and everyone laughed and danced for joy. - P-1
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