Daily Devotional for November 11, 2022
The Floating Knife
“I know we’re supposed to love everyone, but…” Theo paused and stared at the river. He and his brother Colby were having a serious discussion with Dad as they took advantage of a lovely fall afternoon for one last fishing trip before winter. “But to tell you the truth, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to love Graham,” Theo said.
“Me neither!” said Colby. “Why would you even try to love him?”
“As Christians, we’re supposed to love people like God does,” Theo replied. “But Graham is such a bully! How can we love someone who acts the way he does? It’s impossible!”
Dad reeled in his line. “Boys,” he said, taking out a small pocketknife, “what do you think will happen if I toss this knife into the water?”
“It will sink like a rock, of course,” said Theo, and Colby nodded.
“Don’t be so sure,” said Dad. “Let’s try it. Just watch.”
“Dad! Don’t throw it in the water,” said Theo. “You know it won’t float!”
Dad turned to his tackle box. He took out the biggest cork bobber he could find and tied it to his fishing line. He added another above that, and then attached the knife just above the bobbers. The boys watched as Dad threw the whole assembly into the river. It sank beneath the water, but then it reappeared and began to float.
“Oh, I knew the bobbers would float,” Theo said. “The knife is just riding along.”
“You’re right, Theo,” replied Dad, reeling it in. “The knife is way too heavy to float alone. It needs the bobbers to carry it along.” Dad removed the knife and bobbers from his line. “You said it was impossible for you to love Graham, but it’s only impossible if you try to love him on your own. But Jesus doesn’t expect you to love Graham on your own. He has filled your heart with His love—the same love He had for each one of us when He died for our sins on the cross. None of us deserve God’s love, but He loves us anyway. And He will help us love others.” Dad grinned at the boys. “Trust Him to hold you up and carry you along as you demonstrate His love to Graham.”
-Hazel W. Marett
How about you?
Is it difficult for you to love someone who is mean to you? It may seem impossible at times, but if you know Jesus, you can love the way He does because He has put His love in your heart. Even though we all deserve to be punished for the wrong things we’ve done, Jesus loved us so much He took that punishment for us on the cross. Trust Him to help you show that same kind of love to others, even when it seems impossible.
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