There are two seas in Palestine. They are both very different. One is called the Sea of Galilee. It is a large lake with clean fresh water from which you can drink. Fish and people swim in it. It is surrounded by green fields and gardens. Many people have built their homes near to it. Jesus sailed across it many times.
The other big body of water is called Dead Sea, and it really lives up to its name. Everything about it is dead. The water is so salty that you would get sick from trying to drink it. It has no fish. Nothing grows along its banks. No one wants to live anywhere near its unpleasant smell.
The interesting thing about both these bodies of water is that the same river flows into both of them.
So what makes difference?
Just this: one receives and gives; the other receives and keeps.
The Jordan River flows into the top of the Sea of Galilee and out the bottom. The lake uses the water and then passes it on for others to use. The Jordan River then flows into the Dead Sea and never gets out again.
The Dead Sea selfishly keeps it only for itself.
This makes it dead.
It gets and never gives.
-John Marsabella
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Isn't the story lovely? It tells us people that if we are grateful and sharing with the blessings that we are getting, life will prosper. It is never a hidden fact that living in this world is never an easy task. Almost everyone is trying to get ahead of someone else by all means. There are different types of people lurking on this earth. But just like the Sea of Galilee and Dead Sea, people are characterized as sharing and greedy.
It pays a lot if we are sharing,grateful and giving individual. Though we all have our own needs and wants, isn't it better if we spare some of our money or time or even ourselves in service for others. We live and survive in this world because of the presence of one another. We have to work hand in hand for our success. Good for those people who knows and understands that there are people who needs them more. The Spirit of Giving should or must be present in our hearts because it nourishes our soul. It makes us wealthier, a wealth not only boxed in the concept of money.
The story tells us that the more we give and share the more it makes our lives worthwhile and meaningful. Have you experience those moments when you see someone like a beggar on the side walk or even just a vendor and you offer them help. I can clearly remember one incident when I was still living in Banilad, Cebu where I used to take a walk from my house to Coutrymall. Right across that mall is University of Cebu. Every time I pass by there, I always see an old lady selling candies,cigarettes, etc. She was pretty much friendly. Many times when I get a chance to pass her I usually greet her "Maayong gabii nang" (Good Evening Nang). And she would eagerly respond with a greeting and a big smile. It has been like that for quite some time.
One night, I think it was payday and I was on my nightly routine which is to have a brisk walk. I came to pass by Chowking. Then suddenly the old lady came into my mind. I check first if she's there and I went back to the fastfood chain to buy something for her to eat. Because there was an instance wherein I saw her eating her "baon", rice and a small slice of fish and there water. She even offered me and said "Kaon ta dong". She was really friendly and she reminds me of my lola diding. When I already have the food with me, I just simply gave it to her and told her "Para na sa imo Nang" and then I left immediately right after she said thank you. It was a very small gesture but I was really happy about it. I went home contented and smiling. I realized that no matter how small you're actions are, for as long as it is done with good heart and of pure intentions then it is of big worth.
There have been a lot of times that I was being helped by people whom I don't know.And those people did not even ask for anything in return. Isn't it appropriate to share the goodness of those people by means of giving my kindness to others as well. This world is not as cruel as most people tells us.
Just as the Dead Sea offers nothing but of Death and Absence, there are also people in this world that is living a state of life resembling Dead Sea. They just keep on receiving but did not learn to share. They were being enveloped by greediness, materialism, lust, and selfishness. These people might be just a stranger to us or even one of those loved ones of ours. So what can we do for us to salvage them from that abject and ugly situation? It is now our challenge to let the Sea of Sharing overflow over those hearts of people drenched with Sea of Greediness. Let us try to replace the water in their hearts with clean ones. It is never too late.
May we continue to be a blessing to one another.
