TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

DEVOTIONAL

by Elder Chris Beltran

This is a story I recall by memory. There was a boy who carved a toy boat from a plank of wood. He spent so much time making the boat and even painted it in his favorite blue color. He loved it so much that he even played with it in his bathtub every single day.

One day, there was a big downpour. After the rain, the streets were still flowing with rainwater. The boy decided to sail his toy boat in the rainwater on the street. He was walking beside it as it sailed. However, a sudden flow of water came and swept his toy. He tried to reach the toy, but he failed. Moreover, a sudden flow of rainwater swept it straight to the big lake.

The boy was heartbroken. For weeks, he could not eat and sleep because he kept thinking about the boat. One day, as he walked on the streets of his town, he saw a familiar blue boat on display in one of the stores. Excitedly, he went into the store and told the owner that it was his boat. He explained how he made it, then lost it, and now found it. The owner of the store replied, “Well, it may be yours before, but someone sold it to me, and I paid a lot for it. If you want it, you can buy it back.” The owner saw the sad expression on the boy’s face. Thus, he offered him a deal. If the boy works in his store for a week, his effort will be enough to buy back the boat. The boy joyfully agreed to the proposal.

The boy diligently worked hard. Finally, after a week, the boat was his again. As he was going home, he said to the boat, “I love you so much little boat. You are mine twice. I was the one who made you, but you sailed away from me. Now I have purchased you back again by sacrificing my week for you.”

It is a touching story, isn’t it? However, if we think of it, isn’t that what God also did for us? He created us, and He made us into His own image. He also gave us everything beautiful. Nevertheless, we decided to sail away from Him because we think we know better. We believe that we are wiser than Him and decided to go our own way apart from Him. However, He continued to love us so much. “For God so loved the world…” He loves everyone, both you and me. “[T]hat he gave His one and only Son…” Jesus Christ a proof of God’s love. He gave the most precious gift, His only son, who died on the cross for his precious blood to repurchase us from the clutches of evil and sin. “[T]hat whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The phrase whosoever believes means those who put their faith and trust in God. The choice is ours. We are twice His. Do not take God’s love and sacrifice for granted. We should live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God because we belong to Him alone.

REFLECTION

We say that children bear a physical likeness to their parents, even by how they walk and talk. How about our spiritual life? Do we bear a likeness of our Heavenly Father? Or do we bear a likeness to the devil? God loves us so much. He created us in His image and even purchased us back through Jesus Christ. Wouldn’t this kind of love compel us to love God and others in the same way?

PRAYER

Lord, I am not deserving of your great love. You created us and gave us life, yet we sailed away, wanting to fulfill our desires and purpose apart from Your will. Nevertheless, You took it upon Yourself to redeem us through the blood and death of our savior, Jesus Christ. Furthermore, Jesus’ resurrection proved his power and authority in giving us eternal life with You. Lord, I recommit myself to love you with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Amen.