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Topics: Experiencing, Hypocrisy, Humility
There was once a Shakespearean actor who was known everywhere for
his one-man show of readings and recitations from the classics. He would
always end his performance with a dramatic reading of Psalm 23. Each
night, without exception, as the actor began his recitation - "The
Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..." - the crowd would listen
attentively. And then, at the conclusion of the psalm, they would
rise in thunderous applause in appreciation of the actor's incredible
ability to bring the verse to life.
But one night, just before the actor was to offer his customary
recital of Psalm 23, a young man from the audience spoke up. "Sir do
you mind if tonight I recite Psalm 23?"
The actor was quite taken back by this unusual request, but he
allowed the young man to come forward and stand front and center
on the stage to recite the psalm, knowing that the ability of this
unskilled youth would be no match for his own talent.
With a soft voice, the young man began to recite the words of the
psalm. When he was finished, there was no applause. There was no
standing ovation as on other nights. All that could be heard was
the sound of weeping. The audience had been so moved by the young
man's recitation that every eye was full of tears.
Amazed by what he had heard, the actor said to the youth,
"I don't understand. I have been performing Psalm 23 for years. I have a
lifetime of experience and training - but I have never been able
to move an audience as you have tonight. Tell me, what is your
secret?"
The young man humbly replied, "Well sir, you know the
psalm... but I know the Shepherd."
It's not enough to just know the content of the Bible - its
stories, its sayings, and its teachings. Unless you know the
author, the Bible is nothing more than just another book. But
when you put your faith in Jesus Christ and have entered into
a personal relationship with God the Father, the Bible truly
becomes "living and active - sharper than any
double-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12).
Unknown
(Inspirational submitted by: Brian McGraw)