Monday, 3/17/14
While panning for gold in Montana many years ago, some men found a very substantial amount. After rejoicing and celebrating knowing they would soon be very rich, they agreed to tell no one when they went into town to get more supplies. This way, nobody would come back with them to their spot. However, much to their dismay, about a hundred men followed them when they left town. When they asked them who had “squealed,” one fellow replied: “No one had to. We saw it in your faces.”
Some of us are not very good when it concerns keeping a secret or masking our excitement. Our behavior or the expression on our face gives us away. It reminds me of the story of the three men and a dog that were playing cards. An onlooker told the owner and card-playing partner of the dog: “My, that sure is one smart dog.” His owner replied: “Naw, he’s not that smart. Every time he gets a good hand, he starts wagging his tail.” I suppose we can assume that folks who can’t keep a secret can’t be trusted. On the other hand, if we can’t hide our joy and happiness because we know Jesus personally, that can’t be a very bad thing. In fact, I am thankful to God that there are many people like them all around. I am even more thankful for the man who introduced me to and then led me to Christ so many years ago. I was thirty years old at the time, and up to that point had made a total mess of my life. Had it not been for that, my life would be very different today, that is, if I were alive at all.
A survey was taken some years back that concluded that the odds of people turning to Christ after the age of 25 are one in ten thousand. I wonder if anyone shared that information with my friend before he came looking for me. But then again, even if he had been told that in my case the odds were a million to one, he probably would have replied like Lloyd in the movie ‘Dumb and Dumber”, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance.” How about you? Can you conceal it, or does the joy and excitement of knowing Jesus you give you away?
Memory verse for the week: Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
