The Love that Wins

Watchman Nee—a prominent twentieth century brother who shook the world for Christ in his day—wrote about two believers who had their farmland up a hill. They had neighbours who owned farmlands as well. Every day, these brothers got up early to water their farmland, then they would go about their daily businesses.

Unfortunately, as soon as the believers had watered their land, their neighbours would sneak in and drain all the water by channeling it to their own land. This “wicked” act went on for days, and the believers always wondered how it was possible.

One day, they discovered that their neighbours were behind their misery. They didn't know what to do, for they couldn't confront them because it would spark an argument and perhaps a fight. Were they to go into their rooms and fall on their knees and pray like this:

“Ah, God! God! Ah! Our efforts have become fruitless. Seek out these neighbours of ours and punish them. Punish them, Lord! Punish them. Don't let them go unpunished. They don't want my success, so, Lord, let them know no success in their lives. Lord! Answer, by fire!”?

Or, would they go on their knees and pray to Father:

“Father, we want to live as your children, but it's difficult. Left to us, we would want the unfortunate existence of these men, but we want what you want. Your Son, Jesus, loves ALL men, and like him, help us to love these men who have wronged us and who do not desire our success. Now, Lord, what should we do? What would you do in this situation?”

And, yes, that's how they prayed!

Then an idea struck their hearts. Jesus wouldn't pray against them EVEN IF he could command a hail of flames from heaven to consume them. He would love them, not passively but actively.

It was a great idea! The following morning, they went to their farm to water it. But first, they watered their neighbours' farm; then they watered theirs. After that, they placed a cross between both farms. They did this for three days.

“What on earth is this?” their neighbours would wonder in disbelief. They could hardly believe that the very humans whom they had been hostile and unfair towards were good and nice to them. Of course, the only person they knew had done that was Jesus, but they felt believers made it impossible to believe people like that exist. Yes, they were right; people like that exist with Jesus. I'm not referring to nice people here; I'm talking about people living differently in a way that this world cannot understand.

So the brothers watered the farms for three consecutive days. On the third day, their neighbours stopped by to apologize. They couldn't believe their eyes.

“We're so sorry,” they said. “You're truly followers of Jesus. We want to know this Way. Please show him to us.”

Amazing, right? But that's what Jesus' life tastes and feels like. It's the life God invites you to. It's difficult, but that's why it's called the narrow way—a pathway of grace less travelled.

It's the love of God.

Thanks a bunch for reading!

Oluwafemi Samuel,
Writer.

(Telling stories that inspire)