Posted by Lionette Hope on 12 3rd, 2009 | 2 responses

Feeding Each Other

A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, ‘Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.’

The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man’s mouth water. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.

The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, ‘You have seen Hell.

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man’s mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, ‘I don’t understand. It is simple,’ said the Lord. ‘It requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other. The greedy think only of themselves.’

A simple story but has a profound meaning. Let me share to you my own interpretation of the story:

1. Large pot of stew on a large round table.

God promised us an abundant life. He already offered us all His resources. But only a few take notice and receive it. While almost all of the people whine like a little kid on why they acquire less of the things they need in life.

2. Spoon with very long handles strapped to the arms

Each and every one of us is unique and we are given certain talents, skills and abilities. It is merely up to us if we will use it only for our own self or share it to others as well.

We are given the freedom to choose the path to take. Both places overflow with blessings. But are you the person who uses your own talents for your own survival and benefit or are you the person who uses your own talents and share it to the world? Are you only working so hard for yourself or are you working smart and share what you have to others? Are you only serving yourself or are you serving others first in order to be served?

Nothing great can be accomplished without team effort. Remember that each of us is an important thread in another person’s life. We are woven together for a reason and we are only required one skill and that is to learn to feed each other.

Will you still continue to let greed and selfish desire creep inside you and create the atmosphere of Hell or will you choose to start contributing to others to create the atmosphere of Heaven?