ave
you ever wished you where clever? Haven't you ever wanted to be the top of you
class at school? Or maybe you just would like to be able to do things better?
Well today I want to tell you a story of a boy named Greg that asked Jesus to
give him wisdom and knowledge.
Greg was just a normal little boy, he loved toys and
playing with his friends. He liked going to school where he could play with
his friends, but like all kids, did not like the work and homework the
teachers always seemed to give him.
His favorite pass time was riding his trusty old bicycle.
Him and all his friends would ride up and down the road where he stayed and
would race each other to see who could ride the fastest, but best of all was
the ramping they would do on their bicycles.
There was just one problem. Greg's old bicycle just did not
keep up with the newer bicycles, he always seemed to come last in the races or
the shortest when ramping. He wished he could have a nice bicycle like the
other boys, but knew that a new bicycle costs a lot of money, and his parents
did not have that kind of money.
One Saturday morning Greg, his mommy, his daddy and his
little sister went grocery shopping at the local shopping mall. It was not one
of his favorite things to do on a Saturday, he would have rather stayed at
home and played with his friends. But he decided to make the most of the trip
by going to the bicycle section to see what cool bicycles and equipment there
where on display.
He made his way to the bicycle section. He started by
looking at all the equipment for the bicycles. As always there where many
things for the bicycles. New grips for the handlebars, water bottles, a
puncture kit, spare inner tubes and crash helmets in all colors and shapes.
There was even one that looked like the one they use on motorbikes. As he
looked at the helmet he could just see himself riding a new bicycle with a
helmet on that matched the bicycle. Greg put down the helmet and asked Jesus
to keep one for him.
As he walked over to look at the bicycles he could not
believe his eyes! Right there on display was the very bicycle that matched the
helmet. Right away Greg ran over to his parent and explained the whole thing
of how he had seen the helmet and then found the bike to match. As his parents
looked at the bicycle, Greg begged them to please get it for him. It was his
dream bike and the shiny blue color with the racing sticker was the best he
had ever seen.
After nagging so much, Greg’s parents decided something…
They told him that they would get him the bicycle, but first he had to do one
thing. They said that he had to do his best at school and if he did that, they
would get him the bicycle.
The rest of the day and night Greg could not think of
anything else but that new bicycle, he knew it was not going to be easy. He
was battling a little with his schoolwork and if he was going to do well, he
would have to have some serious help.
He then remembered a story in the bible about Solomon. He
was the new King of Israel and he had a lot to do and look after, he was the
president of the country in those days. It was his job look after the whole
land and all the people in the Land. It was up to him to make sure everyone
was happy and that there was enough food for everyone. What was even worse is
that there where so many people, that when they stood all together they where
like dust, they where everywhere! Do you think you could do the job Solomon
was given?
Well Solomon was worried, he knew he could not do the job
properly without some help. One night as he went to pray the Lord came to him
and asked Solomon what he wanted from Him. He could ask for anything and the
Lord would give it to him.
Well, what would you ask for? What do you think Solomon
asked for? No Silly! He did not ask for the latest Barbie doll or the latest
action figure. He asked for wisdom and knowledge! He cared so much about the
people God had given him to look after, he didn't even think of what he wanted
but rather what would help the people. With knowledge, Solomon could
understand the people and what they needed better, and with wisdom he would
know the best way to look after them and make sure they had every thing they
needed.
God was so happy with the choice Solomon made that He told
him, He was not only going to make him the wisest man in the whole world, but
He was also going to give him riches, honor and wealth. More than any King
ever had before and after him.
And do you know what? God as always kept his promise. He
made Solomon the wisest and richest man in the whole world. Solomon was so
wise and rich that other kings and queens would come from all over the world
just to see how wise and rich he was. You can read all about him and all he
did for God and the people of Israel in your bible in the book of 2
Chronicles.
Right then and there Greg prayed to Lord Jesus and this is
what He prayed:
"Jesus, thank you for
always listening to me.
Oh Jesus you know everything and you know about the bicycle.
I really want it, but I have to do good at school.
Please help me to do well at school.
Please help me to be wise like Solomon.
Help me to be the best I can be.
In Jesus name,
Amen"
From that day on Greg did his very best at school. You know
what happened? Things started to change. He started to understand the
schoolwork better. He could do the work without battling like he usually did.
Schoolwork became fun and exciting and he looked forward to doing it instead
of hating it.
Well the School year went by fast and it was nearly the end
of the year. One day Greg and two other children where called to the
Principles office. As he and the other two children were going there, none of
them had any idea way they had been called out. Greg could not remember doing
anything wrong! The walk there seemed to take forever and when it finally did
come to an end, Greg was so nervous he could hardly stand. He wished he was
far way - some place else.
As he entered the Principles office he was amazed to see
other children there too. The Principle then gave them the best news they
could ever hear. They where not there for doing something wrong, they where
there for something completely different.
He said: "Boys and Girls, I bet you are wondering why
I called you to my office today. Well I have good news for you. You have been
called here because you are the children that have got the best marks out of
all the children in your classes. I have called you here so that I could
congratulate you and invite you to come to a special evening to be held at the
school. What we do is invite all your parents to come and enjoy a evening with
us and during the evening each of you will receive a certificate for your good
and hard work."
Greg could not believe it - he had done it! It was the
first time he had ever done so well, that his high marks made him to be one of
the three children at the top his class. He just knew that it was Jesus that
had helped him. So on the way back to the classroom Greg thanked Jesus for
helping him and making him wise to do his best.
Well that special evening arrived and Greg got his
certificate as the Principle had said he would. At the end of the evening as
Greg and his Parents where walking to the car, he got the biggest surprise!
There in front of the car, was a beautiful bicycle! It was the bicycle from
the shop. The Shiny blue one with all the special racing stickers on it.
At first Greg could not believe his eyes! It was as if he
was in a wonderful dream and he had to pinch himself to make sure it was not a
dream - but it was real. As he got onto the bicycle he was so happy, all his
hard work and the help of Jesus had paid of and now he had a new bicycle to
ride.
Well I don’t need to tell you that when Jesus blesses us,
He does a really good job! You see, the story did not end there. Not too long
afterwards, Christmas time come along. On Christmas morning as Greg open up
his presents would you believe that there was a helmet in one of the boxes,
but this was not just any helmet - No! It was the one for his new bicycle, the
very one he asked Jesus to keep for him in the shop.
You see Jesus did not forget and even though Greg had
forgotten about it and felt he did not deserve the helmet because he had such
a nice bicycle, Jesus remembered. So He made sure that Greg's Mommy and Daddy
got him the helmet as He had promised Greg as a gift especially from Jesus
Himself.
Are you battling today and need some wisdom? Have you been
promised something nice if you do a job well, but are battling to do it? Well,
be like Greg and Solomon and ask for wisdom and knowledge. And what better
person to ask than Jesus, who loves you and always wants to give you the
things you desire and more.
Do your best at whatever you are doing and Jesus will
always be there to help you along the way no matter how hard the job is. And
He will bless you even more than you expect Him to!
The End.
