Pity the poor moth, more specifically the light brown apple moth.  I admit that he's a voracious eater and a threat to the $32 billion agriculture industry in California.  But you have to feel sorry for him in light of the ways people are fighting back.  According to today's New York Times, officials had planned to spray pesticides which would have confused his reproductive cycle.  That's bad enough, but now spraying has been delayed while sterile moths are being bred and released.  That's just not fair.

In an unfair, fallen world, we've sought the true happiness Jesus offers by exploring his Beatitudes.  As we read them one more time, ask yourself which is God's word to your soul this morning:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:3-12).

What must you pay to live by these prescriptions?  Your Lord promises a result far greater than its cost.  Today he calls you to be faithful to the One who is faithful to you.

I learned recently the story of Sundar Singh, one of India's most famous Christians.  He lived from 1889 to 1929, enduring extreme persecution for his courageous faith.  His own family tried to poison him when he became a Christian.  He was stoned and arrested numerous times; roped to a tree as bait for wild animals; sewed into a wet animal skin and left to be crushed to death as it shrank in the hot sun.  He disappeared while on a missionary journey.  Indian Christians consider him their Francis of Assisi.

Consider his profound statement: "From my many years experience I can unhesitatingly say that the cross bears those who bear the cross."  Will you bear yours?

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