Whales and the Gospel

One day Melanie and I were walking out on the beach and I saw off to my right what looked like a whale's blowhole. Against the water and the far off islands it sort of just looks like a small white cloud but for a whale watching pro like me the tell is obvious - that's a whale. So we started paying attention and sure enough, whales. But not one. There were a few mothers/baby fathers there because the activity was pretty remarkable. We saw at least three whale breaches (when they jump out of the water) and lots of tails and fins. They were clearly having a little pod party. Equally cool were the baby whales popping out of the ocean. You can tell because their size is so much smaller, but they are cute. All of this was happening maybe 300-500 yards out, so it was pretty easy to see and I was totally jazzed. This is one of the reasons I love Maui, and it did not disappoint.

I wanted everyone who was walking on the boardwalk to see it. I kept stopping people who were walking by to point out the whales. A few people stopped, but others just said, "that's nice" and kept walking. Imagine, being too busy to stop and watch whales breaching? 

Upon further reflection it reminded me of the Gospel. Each day people walk by the missionaries or see members living their lives. They may even be invited to listen and learn. But so often - more often than not, they just keep on walking away. 

I would like to believe that if people knew the beautiful, life changing message you brought to them they would stop and listen. But most people simply don't. They don't care, or believe, or can't be bothered, or are in too much of a hurry to drink from the well of water of which you will never thirst, simply because they can't be bothered.