Shan Dai Advocacy

Titus

March 23, 2007 on 1:09 pm | In His First Bible, New Testament, PrayerGrams |

“Sai”, a middle-aged Shan Dai man, was selling Dai rice taffy in the market. Eager for business, he offered a Chinese man a sample to taste. Rudely, the man spat it out; not on the ground, which is acceptable behavior in China, but all over the day’s inventory, proclaiming loudly that he did not like it. Sai later mentioned the event while teaching Dai believers. The group was anticipating the story to end in a fight. But Sai said, “Because Jesus has changed me, I did not punch the guy out.” In a very unassuming way, the small Dai church learned the meaning of kindness in action. Paul, in writing to Titus, reminds, “Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled by others and became slaves to many wicked desires and evil pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy. We hated others, and they hated us. But then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love. He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:3-5). In a society where rudeness, anger and aggressive behavior rule, kindness needs to be taught, for it just does not naturally happen. We thank God for the godly leadership Sai provides for the Shan Dai in rural southwest China. Father, we all need to remain aware of the ways You have changed us. Lord, may kindness, mercy and compassion become ever-growing traits in Your children, we pray.