Two nuns were taking a long drive down a isolated country road to visit a friend when they ran out of gas. Since they were a long way from the nearest city, they decided to walk across a field to a nearby farmhouse to get some help. The farmer gratiously agreed to give them some gasoline but he couldn’t find a container to put it in. After turning the barn upside down he finally found an old bedpan that was a little but could be used to hold some gasoline. The desperate nuns were willing to take the gasoline in the bedpan and walked back across the field to their car.
As they were pouring the gasoline into the car from the bedpan, a farmer drove by on his tractor and stopped. “Excuse me sisters,” he said. “I am not a very religious man, but I can’t help admiring your faith.”
While humorous, the story also reminds me of a few spiritual truths:
- Don’t judge the contents by the container.
- “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
- “Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”(John 7:24)
- Our actions can be interpreted in different ways by observers but God will rightly judge our actions.
- God “will give to each person according to what he has done.” (Romans 2:6)
- “Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:4-10)
- Observations are not always accurate.
- “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.” (1 Corinthians 4:5)
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