Little Tugboats

Read: 2 Kings 5:1-4, 9-14

The breeze felt cool against Eli’s cheeks as he and Uncle Martín stood quietly on the pier. They were watching ships enter and leave the great harbor. “Look at those little tugboats moving the big ships through the water, Uncle Martín!” said Eli. “It doesn’t seem like boats that small could even move those big ships!”

Uncle Martín shook his head. “They’re interesting, aren’t they?” After watching a while longer, he said, “Those little tugboats remind me of you.”

Eli turned away from the ships to look at his uncle. “Me?” he asked in surprise. “Why do they remind you of me?”

“Well, there’s a Bible verse that says, ‘Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right.’” Uncle Martín smiled. “Those great big ships are helped into the harbor by the little tugboats. And grownups can be influenced—and helped—by the actions of kids.”

“Kids like me?” asked Eli.

“Kids like you,” said Uncle Martín. “Children, as well as adults, can be examples of Jesus to those who don’t know Him. They can show others they have a relationship with Him by the way they live, and they can lead people to Him. Jesus has given each one of us who know Him the Holy Spirit, who helps us share His love with others through our words and deeds—no matter how old we are.” Uncle Martín gestured to another small tugboat passing in front of them as it pulled a ship into the harbor. “You may think other kids are the only ones who would listen to you, but that’s not true. You certainly can influence kids, but adults may also take notice.”

Eli watched the tugboats in the harbor as he thought about what Uncle Martín had said. “There may be quite a few teachers at my school who don’t know Jesus,” he told his uncle. “And next week is our family reunion. Some people coming to that might not know Jesus either.” He smiled. “I’m going to ask God to use me to point others to Jesus—both kids and adults.”

–Richard S. Maffeo

How about you? Do you think you’re too young to lead someone to Christ? Don’t underestimate what God can do through you. Today’s Bible reading gives one example of a young person who influenced an adult as she served God—and He can use you to influence adults too. Trust Him to help you share the love of Jesus with others, no matter how old they are.

Today's Key Verse: Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right. (NKJV) Proverbs 20:11

Today's Key Thought: God can use you