Long Walk Part of Gift

An African boy listened carefully as his teacher explained why Christians were such giving people. The teacher said, “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”   ( Acts 20:35 )  

A couple of days later the boy brought the teacher a seashell of lustrous beauty. “Where did you ever find such a beautiful shell?” the teacher asked. The youth told her that there was only one spot where such extraordinary shells could be found.   

When he named the place, a certain bay several miles away, the teacher was speechless. She knew that it would have taken the young man hours to walk to the bay. Also, he would have faced many dangers from the jungle and rocky cliffs of the seacoast along the way. “Why, it’s gorgeous and wonderful, but you shouldn’t have gone all that way to get the gift for me,” the teacher joyfully exclaimed.    

His eyes brightening, the boy answered, “Long walk part of gift.”   

This story brings to mind the long walk that was part of God’s gift to mankind.  I Peter 1:20-21 states that Jesus “For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you  21 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you.”   

Christ’s long walk began in the mind of God before the foundation of the world, and was proclaimed by the prophets of the Old Testament. He then voyaged from heaven to earth to be born of a virgin, and He grew up to show people the way of heaven. He walked upon the earth and then went to a shameful cross to pay humanity’s debt of sin, journeyed from the cross to the tomb, was resurrected on the third day, and finally completed the journey by returning to heaven.   

Hebrews 4:15-16 reminds us that “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need..”    

And we may ask, “Why all this trouble, God?” And God would say to us, “The long walk was part of the gift.”

                                                                        By   Mark T. Tonkery