I love the story about an angel who suddenly appears at a faculty meeting and tells the dean of the college that, in return for his unselfish and exemplary behavior, he will be given his choice of infinite wealth, wisdom or beauty. Without hesitating, the dean selects infinite wisdom.
"Done!" says the angel, and disappears in a cloud of smoke and a bolt of lightning.
Now, all heads turn toward the dean, who sits surrounded by a faint halo of light. At length, one of his colleagues whispers, "Say something."
The dean looks at them and says, "I should have taken the money."
Though wealth is highly regarded in our world, I rather suspect this fictitious academic made the better choice. Wisdom, like many other virtues, is usually more difficult to obtain, and can be far more satisfying.
I've heard it said that when our hearts are empty, we collect 'things.' On the other hand, when our hearts are full, we tend to lose interest in most of the 'stuff' of life. The "things of the heart" become all-important. Things like love and joy and peace. Or wisdom. Or hope. Or faith.
And the wonderful truth is that these gifts are given freely to any who will take them! None of us has to live without love. There really is joy to be found in this life. And we can know peace -- now.
Fra Giovanni gave us these immortal words in 1513:
"No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in today. Take heaven! No peace lies in the future that is not hidden in this present moment. Take peace! The gloom of this world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within reach, is joy. There is a radiance and glory in the darkness, could we but see, and to see we have only to look. I beseech you to look. Life is so generous a giver..."
You have already been offered things even finer than infinite wealth. Will you grasp them and make them yours -- today?
Published by John Mark Ministries
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