But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Matthew 5:44
If there is one thing I know about most people is that we judge others before we know them. We take an instant dislike of someone because we have heard something about them. Maybe, we feel justified in our education, beliefs or position. Reality is we are all sinners and are in need of Christ’s mercies and grace. How we deal with that part of ourselves is a matter of Christianity and love.
The Pilgrims were afraid of Indians, mostly for the rumors and reports they heard. Their fear was supported by their first encounter with the native Americans when they first came ashore. Now comes this lone Indian Massasoit and his visit made all the difference. Little did the Pilgrims know that it was in this man’s ability to destroy them. He could see their weakness and he could have easily reported how to defeat them, but this man had encountered English fishermen before. Massasoit was shown kindness and returned the kindness with love.
When the visited ended, Massasoit left the Pilgrims and returned to make another visit, this time with the chief of the Wampanoag Tribe. Massasoit told the chief of the Pilgrims and their struggle to survive. He convinced the chief to bring aid to these poor people. The most unlikely of men was suggested. The chief offered to Massasoit another Indian named Squanto. The story behind this man shows us the hand of God.
When Squanto was a young man, Englishman Thomas Hunt captured him and others to return them to Europe. In many ways, Hunt was looking to make his captured Indians servants. Hunt later sold Squanto to Monks who took the young man and educated him. Eventually, Squanto went to Europe and may have even met Pocahontas. Eventually, Squanto managed to find a way to England and shortly thereafter returned to his New England shores. To his surprise, the tribe he loved had died off. All that remained was the empty village. He was the last of the Pawtuxet Tribe. It seems that European disease had taken its toll. Alone and without a people to return to, Squanto joined with the Wampanoag Tribe to live out his remaining days.
I wonder what was in the heart of the man Squanto. Did the truth of God’s word effect him? As I look back on it, I am sure he might have hated his time in Europe. Somehow, I like to think that he knew God had preserved him for such a time as this.
When we see trials in our lives it would be good if we understood that we are called for just such a time. It is with God’s amazing love that all things come into our lives for good. Can we grasp that?
Think about it.
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