SS Thoughts #11: Bearing each other’s burdens

Undoubtedly persons are hurting. The challenge in Sabbath School today was to approach someone who is not in your circle of friends, and ask them about themselves – how is the job; how is the family; is there something you would like me to pray for; etc. The person asking the questions was mandated to really listen for at least one minute, since just listening could make a big difference. It was an amazing experience......

Boys Town, in Omaha, Nebraska, was founded as a residence for homeless, abandoned, neglected, or otherwise underprivileged boys - regardless of color or creed. Thousands of boys have gone on to become productive citizens in all walks of life. The complex contains an interesting statue - an older boy carries on his back a younger child who cannot walk.

Apparently the older boy was asked if he ever got tired of carrying the younger child. His reply is the statue’s unforgettable inscription: “He ain’t heavy; he’s my brother”.

Bearing each other’s burdens is an opportunity to serve, and joy comes from blessing others. Jesus revealed His deep love for us on the cross. We reflect His love in kind deeds and encouraging words to others. May we always be willing to say, “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother”.

SS Thoughts #10: Strength in Numbers – An Analogy

Life in the sea is a very risky business for young fish – their small size makes them an easy target for larger predators. But “schooling” in large numbers, is a good survival technique. Sharks and other large fish find it a little more challenging to isolate and capture a single individual in a school.

Penguins use the same principle when they huddle together against the cold; and flocks of migrating birds use it to help each other make long flights to warm climates.

Isn’t this something we need to do on our journey—get closer together and strengthen and encourage each other? If fish, with their tiny fish brains, and birds, with their small bird brains, can come together to survive, how much more should we do so—staying close and strengthening each other until our Savior returns.

Satan would like nothing better than to tear us away from each other, make us take our eyes off Jesus, and cause us to be lost.  But he cannot do it if we remain together and build our faith. We must embrace our new brothers and sisters into this tight fold too. We must not leave them out there to survive on their own—they will not.

Lord make me worthy to be a source of strength and encouragement for someone on their journey. Then my living might not be in vain.

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another…” 1 Thess. 5:11

SS Thoughts #9: 20/20 Vision?

In the days of the Napoleonic wars, before radio or telegraph had been invented, messages had to be sent by semaphore signals.  From a long distance the flags could be seen as they slowly spelled out words letter by letter (as shown below):

Napoleon had conquered parts of Europe, and now he was at Waterloo, about to invade England; where Admiral Wellington and his English army were putting up a brave fight. People anxiously watched for news of the battle. Slowly the flags began to spell the words: WELLINGTON...DEFEATED…Suddenly a dense fog covered the flags.  In despair the people fled the city. Roadblocks were erected and houses hastily fortified as London resigned itself to destruction from the forces of Napoleon.

Then the storm passed and the fog began to lift. The flags began to move once more and the message was slowly completed: WELLINGTON...DEFEATED...NAPOLEON...AT...WATERLOO. The joy of the people knew no bounds as the full impact of the news struck home.

Living in a world that is often filled with tears and sorrow, we do not always see the whole picture. When the fog of unbelief is lifted and the veil is completely taken away, we will recognize that there was no defeat at all. It had been victory from the very beginning - but we just did not get the whole message.

In the meantime, what should we do?  The answer is simply to trust the promise of the One who has never failed us yet. 

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: 

now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
 (1 Cor. 13:12)

SS Thoughts #8: Where’s your shine?

Adapted from an article in the SS Youth Resource Magazine (Q2-2014).

Years ago some men were panning for gold in Montana, and one of them found an unusual stone. Breaking it open he was excited to see that it contained gold. Soon the whole crew found an abundance of the precious metal. Happily they began shouting, “We’ve found it!! We’ve found it!! We’ve found gold”.

However they needed to return to the nearby town for supplies. They agreed not to tell anyone about what they had found. On leaving the town they were dismayed to find that hundreds of men were prepared to follow them. 

“Who told you our secret”, they asked. The reply came, “No one told us. Your faces showed it”.

Does your face show that you have discovered a great treasure – the secret of salvation? Does your face show that you have discovered God’s unchanging love for you? Does your face show that this earth as it is, is not your home? Or does your face only reflect doom and gloom? Why don’t you let God’s love shine out of you daily, to draw others closer to Him?

SS Thoughts #7: God’s Plans vs Our Plans

The adult SS lesson for this week asked a very pertinent application question – How has God led you in ways that turned out better than your own plans? It made me reflect on something I read once (source unknown):

I asked for favors;

            God gave me opportunities.

I asked for strength;

            God gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for wisdom;

            God gave me problems to solve.

I asked for prosperity;

            God gave me a brain and brawn to work.

I asked for courage;

            God gave me obstacles to overcome.

I asked for love;

            God gave me troubled people to help.

I received nothing I wanted. But I received everything I needed.

Indeed what you get is NOT what YOU SEE (the title of the lesson) - especially when we look at things with our limited and dim vision.

What’s your response to the first question? And how does this affect your ability to trust God in the present and future?

SS Thoughts #6: Take a Hike

83 campers went on a hike in a forest, but they were unprepared for the heavy rain and rough terrain. While crossing a swiftly flowing river, 18 persons were swept away – 2 were never found.

How could a perfectly planned hike end in disaster?  Were the hikers unprepared?  Did the guide ignore the signs? No one is sure.

We too have ventured on a rough journey. Here are 4 basic things we need to do, otherwise our journey could also end in tragedy.

1   Dress for the journey

      High heels, slippers or a fancy dress are useless on a rough hike. The Bible tells us that on our rigorous journey we should put on the helmet of salvation and the breastplate of righteousness. We must have our loins girded with truth, and our feet shod with the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:10-17)

2  Pay attention to the signs – they are clearly given (see Matthew 24)

3  Read the map – the Bible. It gives us the path we should follow, and the signs we must look for.

4  Follow the guide

      He is Jesus – our Master Guide. He knows the terrain and the rules. He is the only one who can guide us safely through.

Survive your hike. See you at the finish line.