GEM OF GREAT PRICE
The gun felt heavy in Philip’s hand as he sighted down the barrel. Nearby, unaware of the danger, stood Martino, a man Philip knew was the thief who’d stolen a precious gem from his house. The police were doing nothing, so the victim of the crime had decided to take matters into his own hands.
Just a little pressure on his trigger finger would end the hunt forever. Martino would pay for his crime.
But Philip hesitated, and in that brief moment Martino moved back into the crowd. It wouldn’t be safe to fire now. Disgusted, the would-be shooter walked away and soon vanished into the crowded Rio de Janeiro marketplace.
Days passed. Once again Philip stood with gun leveled at his enemy. But again he couldn’t pull the trigger. What was wrong? Martino had done a terrible thing, robbing Philip of his future. He’d spent everything to buy the gem. Now it was gone, and Martino had taken it.
Three months later Philip passed a church. «Maybe I ought to go to services before I kill Martino. The preacher may have something worthwhile to say.»
The preacher did, as all good Seventh-day Adventist pastors do. He spoke about forgiveness, about loving our enemies and doing good to those who hurt us. The Holy Spirit must have shouted in Philip’s ear that night because when he returned home he put his gun away for good. «Instead of taking a man’s life,» he told the preacher, «I’m accepting a new life in Christ.»
Did he ever get his gem back? No. But he found something much more valuable. He found Jesus.
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Tomado de: Daily Devotions for Junior 2020
“Eyes of the Crocodile”
From: Charles Mills
Colaboradores: Javier Gadea & Miguel Miguel