Recently I came across a wonderful story about two whales that had become trapped whilst swimming near to the Alaskan shore – they were surrounded by ice and freezing weather and unable to escape to their normal winter habitat. Soon help was at hand as local eskimos saw their plight and started to break the ice with chain saws and helped to make breathing holes to help them escape. Sadly their progress was limited as the sea continued to freeze over making it impossible to break free.
Fortunately the media took interest and the national guard turned up to help the eskimos; and even a giant ice breaker was sent by the soviet navy to help in the rescue. The vessel also flew two flags – the Stars and Stripes of the USA and the Hammer and Sickle of the Soviet Union. With these resources eventually the whales broke free and continued their journey to warmer waters.
When we empower others we give them the resources to fulfill their calling in God. The greatest investment you can ever make is into the life of someone else. Mike Pilavachi shared how Bishop David Pytches helped him as an inexperienced youth leader to grow through his gentle admonishments but also through supporting his work in starting Soul Survivor and giving him guidance and material help. David Pytches’ encouragement reminded me of the statement by Bob Buford: ‘My fruit grows on other people’s trees’.
When Paul hands on the baton to Timothy he says…
“ You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others”.
2 Timothy 2: 1-3
When we invest in others, what a joy it is to see some of them produce even more fruit than we did. What a legacy!
Image Credit: Khuandinang Panmei
