How to Shine for Jesus

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Two plowshares were made from the same pig iron. One was sold to a farmer who used it constantly. The other remained on the shelf of the hardware store, unsold until it was covered with rust. The farmer brought his worn-out share to get another like it. The rusty share was brought out, and there was its brother shining like a silver mirror. “How is it,” the rusty one asked, “that your life has been so wearing and yet has made you so beautiful? Once we were alike: I have grown ugly in spite of my easy life.” “That is it,” replied the shining share, “the beautiful life is the sacrificial life.”

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