our daily bread

0 views

Skip to first unread message

Dexu Xia

unread,

Oct 28, 2018, 1:48:37 AM10/28/18

to dmcf_dailybread

Bring Your Boats

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Proverbs 3:27

Hurricane Harvey brought catastrophic flooding to eastern Texas in 2017. The onslaught of rain stranded thousands of people in their homes, unable to escape the floodwaters. In what was dubbed the “Texas Navy,” many private citizens brought boats from other parts of the state and nation to help evacuate stranded people.

The actions of these valiant, generous men and women call to mind the encouragement of Proverbs 3:27, which instructs us to help others whenever we are able. They had the power to act on behalf of those in need by bringing their boats. And so they did. Their actions demonstrate a willingness to use whatever resources they had at their disposal for the benefit of others.

We may not always feel adequate for the task at hand; often we become paralyzed by thinking we don’t have the skills, experience, resources, or time to help others. In such instances, we’re quick to sideline ourselves, discounting what we do have that might be of assistance to someone else. The Texas Navy couldn’t stop the floodwaters from rising, nor could they legislate government aid. But they used what they had within their power—their boats—to come alongside the deep needs of their fellow man. May we all bring our “boats”—whatever they may be—to take the people in our paths to higher ground.

Lord, all that I have is from You. Help me to always use what You’ve given me to help others.

God provides for His people through His people.

竭力行善

你手若有行善的力量，不可推辞，就当向那应得的人施行。-箴言3章27节

在2017年，哈维飓风造成美国德州东部洪水泛滥。暴雨导致数千人的家园惨遭洪水肆虐，灾民们坐困愁城无力脱险。当时，美国其他地区的民众纷纷驾驶自家的船只，前来协助疏散受困的灾民，人们称这些热心人士为“德州海军”。

这些勇敢、慷慨的民众，不分男女积极投入救灾，让我想起箴言3章27节也激励我们：“若有行善的力量，不可推辞。”他们驾驶自己的船只，前来救助那些需要帮助的人，贡献一己之力。他们用行动证明，他们愿意动用自己的一切资源，造福他人。

可能有时我们觉得自己办不到，我们常常会觉得自己缺乏技术、经验、资源，或时间来帮助他人，结果不敢采取行动。在这种情况下，我们很容易会退缩，轻看自己的能力，认为自己仅有棉薄之力，无法对人有所助益。那群“德州海军”不能阻止洪水上涨，也无力促使政府立法救灾，但是他们愿意以他们所拥有的船只，前去救助深陷困境的灾民。唯愿你我都能用我们的“船”（或任何其他资源），去帮助那些我们所遇到的人脱离困境，到更高之处。

主啊，我一切所有的，都是祢所赏赐的。
求祢帮助我，能继续用祢赐给我的一切，去帮助别人。