Congratulations to the 2019 Thalassa Prize winner, Ethan Schultz, for his entry, “The Flock Under His Care.” Ethan and his wife, Kylah, both 2018 MLC graduates, serve in East Asia. MLC’s International Services Office awarded Ethan $1,000, half of which he designated to an East Asia mission. This is the 13th annual Thalassa Prize.
The Flock Under His Care
The Bible is filled with imagery. God paints the pages of Scriptures with beautiful self-portraits. He speaks of himself as a powerful king, a protective eagle, the water and bread of life, and as a shepherd.
In East Asia, a part of the world which is largely unfamiliar with the Bible and therefore spiritually lost, this image of a shepherd is particularly comforting.
Materialism is at an all-time high. Luxury shopping malls are scattered along every major street. Many people are convinced that they can buy happiness. Every heart is lacking something.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”
The pursuit of a successful career is quintessential in this society. The hours spent in schools, in laboratories, in demanding extracurricular activities, and with private tutors are exhausting to say the least.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul.”
A materialistic workaholic will keep working and buying until they find true happiness. They will buy and buy and work and work, but they will never find what they are looking for. They are lost.
“He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
Christianity is not entirely legal in this country. Often times, being associated with Christianity may be dangerous for one’s career, social standing, or worse.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:1-4)
May our Good Shepherd continue to gather all of his lost sheep together.
“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)
