The Grass Hut

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for GOD to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood and long grass to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.
One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. “GOD, how could you do this to me?” he cried.

Early the next day he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island.

It had come to rescue him. “How did you know I was here?” asked the weary man of his rescuers. “We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.

It’s easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn’t lose heart, because GOD is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain, and suffering.

Remember that, the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of GOD.

Yoke of Slavery

Once upon a time, there was a king.  On his birthday, he decided that he would release all his prisoners from the jail.  He asked his governor’s presence and conveyed him his wish.  The governor seemed to be cautious about this.  Instead, he gave a suggestion to ask the prisoners about their wish.  The king agreed and was willing to give them whatever they would demand.

A royal chariot was called for.  The king and his men headed towards the prison.  Arrangement was made that all the prisoners, one by one, would see the king.

The first prisoner’s turn.  The king asked him his wish.  “I want to renovate my room in the jail. The room should be cleaned, walls should be painted, the floors should be washed, and the room should be well furnished”, the gloomy-looking prisoner expressed.  “As you wish”, said the king, and he ordered his men to get that done.

The next prisoner. “I can’t enjoy bathing everyday here.  I want a new perfumed soap and hot water everyday.” The king said, “Your wish too is granted.”  The next one demanded nicely-cooked, royal food and fruits in his dinner and lunch everyday. The same is granted again.  One of them wished he would spend one day with his wife and children every month.  “No issues, your wish too is granted”.  The other one asked that his son be given a good job in his court.  Without hesitation, the king accepted that again.  So on, everyone had different desires and they all were promised.

The last among them gave a joyful smile and asked, “Release me from prison”. And the king was so willing to do so.

At the end, the king expressed his real desire for all the prisoners, and the prisoners were shocked to hear that.

How does this apply to our life?  The king is our Lord.  He wants to give us better than what we expect, but we do not realize this and keep on expecting small worldly things from Him.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."  --  Galatians 5 : 1

We need to ponder over this.  Why did those prisoners ask trivial happiness? Why couldn’t they comprehend the King’s wish? Are we doing the same?

"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  --  Matthew 6 : 31-34