I posed a question to a group of learners today - if money was no consideration, would they choose a small, reliable car over a jewel encrusted, precious watch. After some debate they agreed that the car probably would then have to take priority, given its supassing utility value.
A bushman was taken into a big city and shown all the marvels of the modern world, but before returning to his arid wild place they asked him, "of all the things you have seen, what would you most like to take home with you?"
With a few clicks he pointed to a simple garden faucet or tap. I suppose in his mind he foresaw the tap being installed near to his village, to provide a continuous supply of fresh water - a naive consideration given the reticulation required to bring the water to that everyday miraculous moment. To him, a ready supply of water was far more relevant and miraculous than soaring office blocks, high powered jets or modern transport. In his world, water is a premium. It is the greatest key to their survival - a priceless resource. It may also be the key to finding pride and place in the community or the hand of a treasured bride.
If then you were to lose everything, what would still hold your life together? What would be your most priceless resource? Or could you simply cease to exist without the material stuff that defines your present life?
Maybe we all need to walk through the valley of the shadow of death to realise that our survival rests not in things, but in relationships. When all else is lost and we assess the dregs of our material world, will anything else matter as much as our relationship with God and those around us? I won't elaborate now - just think about it and comment accordingly.
(c) Peter Eleazar @ www.4u2live.net
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