You may not want to rush out to the store right away, but there may just be a new ice cream treat on the horizon. There is a new ice cream sensation created by fishermen in the Bizen, Okayama Prefecture in Japan. For just over $2.00, local residents can buy a regular vanilla soft-serve cone topped with two fried oysters dipped in soy sauce. The local fishermen’s co-op reports making up to 100 sales every day on holidays (World, January 13, 2007).

            I glean from this that not everybody likes the same thing, or dislikes the same thing, and that is fine. I like what little Japanese food I have eaten, but I think I will probably pass on the oyster sundaes.

            Noting the differences we have concerning our taste buds makes me think of the question, “What if everybody in the world liked/dislike the same things as I do?” Or in other words, “What if everybody was just like me?” Besides making the world somewhat dull, it would probably make for some very strange situations: crowds in all of my favorite places, and no waiting in the others.

            But what if everyone was like me in other ways? What if everyone had the same spirituality as I do? What if everyone had the same concern for others? What if everyone had the exact same desire to serve God?

            While we know that not every one is just like us,  doesn’t it behoove us to live and act in such a way that everyone will want to have the same spirituality, the same concern for others, the same desire to serve God?

            Paul said, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example” (Philippians 3:17). He commands Timothy: “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Peter directs the elders, “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3). Whether we realize it or not, others are looking to us for an example. What do they see in you?

Soon on Sale Near You

by Bob Prichard

www.oxfordchurchofchrist.com