What I learned from a Jungle-man

At first glance, he appeared to be an average man, with an unassuming demeanor and quiet smile that told you he was more than happy just to be in your presence.  But upon taking a closer look, one noticed a lean body toned by years of jungle survival, and a deep, abiding, joyful attitude that had learned the secret of contentment.

This was John.  Adopted by missionary parents as a young child, he grew up in the jungle of Papua.  And he came to share his story with us one day. 

“This is a stone axe,” he said, pulling out a heavy-looking polished black stone wrapped meticulously in palm rattan to a short wooden shaft.  “It takes the tribal people a week or longer to walk to the place where these stones can be obtained.  They have to light huge bonfires under massive rock faces to warm and cut off pieces of stone.  After transporting the stone pieces back home, they spend months chipping and polishing them to make them usable for service.”

There is much, much care that goes into each stone axe.

And we are the same way.  If it feels like we are being “heated up”, God is choosing us for His Kingdom-work.  If it feels like our hearts are being slowly formed and chipped away, He is lovingly forming us for a specific purpose.

At the end of his talk, John pulled out his bow and a few different arrows.  He handled them expertly, explaining to us the uses of each arrow:  one was barbed, for marcupials, so that they couldn’t pull it out and walk away.  Another three-pronged arrow was used to target small birds, providing a greater surface area for the catch.  A third was blunt, for birds of paradise, to keep any fluids from soiling their beautiful feathers.

 “I want you to remember when you think of these arrows,” John said gently, “that God has a specific and carefully designed purpose for your life.”

We, sons and daughters of the King, are gifted with specific history, family experiences, talents and skills, for glorious purpose in His Kingdom. 

May we use them well.