The Break Away Bowl

1 Peter 2:5 (KJV)
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

In the small village of wisdom, at birth every baby is given a gift. It is a special bowl that is joined together in fragments. On the day they’re born, and every birthday following a piece is taken from the bowl and given to the Storehouse Keeper.

One little boy named Abel asked why this happened on his tenth birthday. His parents replied, it is a tradition and a practice our village has had since the beginning of time. There is no reason to ask why, no one knows except The Storehouse Keeper, and He will not say.

Abel did not understand this. He also didn’t understand why no one had ever asked, or why The Storehouse Keeper would not say. So on that afternoon he walked to the edge of town, right up to The Storehouse Keeper. “Hello Abel, the kind voice replied.

Abel was puzzled. His voice and manner was kind, many had described Him as harsh. “Why won’t You tell anyone about the bowl, and it’s purpose?”

The smile broadened. “I tell all who ask. I have shared it’s purpose since the beginning, yet people stopped asking. I will not force my knowledge on anyone, but all are welcome to it.”

The Storehouse Keeper opened the door of the tower and pulled out an amazing statue. It was the most beautiful statue the boy had ever seen.

“This is a statue of one of your ancestors. Each piece of his bowl was used to shape it into a perfect image. The pieces of the bowl aren’t being taken away Abel, they’re being added to something far greater than the contents of today. When completed they join me in the tower, safe from all that would damage or harm.”

Abel thanked The Storehouse Keeper Who told him to share the news with all who would listen. He cautioned him that many would not hear, that some would even be angry, but to be kind and to love them too. Those who would listen received great joy knowing that each piece was building something greater, rather than being taken away.