The train, the son and the cracked pot

The train, the son and the cracked pot

Recently, I had the privilege of listening to a message by Pastor Nicholas Choo based on the theme “I am special”. He was the first speaker I had ever seen who could do magic tricks to bring out Biblical truths, and there is no wonder why he is such a sought after speaker.

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3

All over the world, there are so many of us who do not realize this one simple truth:- We are special to God. We matter. We have a purpose. God draws us with loving kindness, and loves us with an everlasting love.

In illustrating his main points, Pastor Nicholas used 3 stories.

The first was of a father and son who lived by a train line. The father’s job was to lower the bridge when the train approached and to raise it when boats crossed underneath. The son loved to watched trains go by and the people in it. Everyday, different people boarded the train, happy people, hurt people, lonely people, angry people. People from all walks of life passed by day by day together with the chugging of the trains.

One day, there was a terrible tragedy occurred. The train was going too fast, and the bridge was not yet lowered. The little son ran to warn his father but fell and became trapped under the rails. The train came onwards at full speed, the father had to make a terrible choice. Save the people on the train or save his son. If he did not pull the lever, all on the train would perish. If he pulled it, his only beloved son would be crushed to death. He pulled the lever in great agony and rushed down to the tracks.

The train passed on by, the passenger unperturbed. A few perhaps looked up and wondered at the anguished father screaming away in grief. They did not know what had happened. They did not understand that he had saved them at the cost of the life of his only dear son.

For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him would not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.

Like the father at the train, God sacrificed His one and only begotten son Jesus Christ for us that we might have life. Yet like the passengers who did not realize what has just happened, many people don’t realize what God has done for them or the magnitude of His sacrifice. If only they would, they would realize that they are special, they are precious because God has sacrificed His Son for them.

The second story was an old Chinese tale speaking of an old lady who carried two pots everyday to the river, filled them up and carried them back to her home. One pot was perfect and one pot was cracked. By the time the cracked pot reached home, almost all the water had been spilt onto the ground. In shame, the cracked pot finally asked the old lady one day. “Why do you still use me? I spill all the water you have collected?” The old lady replied “Have you seen the beautiful flowers that grow along the way from the river to the house? I knew you were cracked and that’s why I planted seeds along the path where you spilt your water. Without you being the way you are, I would not have these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table.

All of us are flawed, but God is able to use us in our weaknesses to make something beautiful for His glory. Each one of us is special.

The third story is about a young girl who was inspired by chance to a great and noble project. While flipping channels with her mum, a four-year old girl happened to come across a channel talking about a poor village whose people had to walk a long distance to collect water for their daily needs. In her innocent nobility, she told her mum, I want to build a well for those people. She was only 4, and it was easy for her mum to say she was foolish and forget it, but her mum encouraged her, and soon, by selling her drawings, and cookies, the little girl started raising funds, and actually raised more than a thousand dollars, and actually sponsored a well for that village!

We should not look down on ourselves. Each one of us is special, and with God, we can do all things. Pastor Nicholas was hugely impacted by his former senior Pastor who had sacrificed his retirement fund to go full time. “If you are willing to do the ridiculous, God will do the impossible”. God says:- “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you” Jeremiah 29:11 God has a plan for each one of us. We are special to Him.

In closing, Pastor Nicholas exhorted us to pay attention to Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. There are 2 things that Pastor Nicholas tells children in order to have a long life. Obey your parents and listen to God. For us to receive all God has for us, we must learn to listen well to God, really come close and listen.

May the Lord always help us know how special and precious we are to Him and help us listen to Him and serve Him that we may fulfill His wonderful purposes for us in life.