I believe!

A few weeks ago I went to New York City with my friend Rachel. Being that I am from a small, po-dunk town in Oklahoma, this was quite an exciting adventure. I love city life! I would love to be right in the middle of the fast-pace lifestyle where there is constantly something going on at every corner, where people take taxies or walk everywhere they go. So fun!

Believe it or not, out of everything we saw and experienced, I would have to say one of my favorite things was the Rockefeller Center. I know, it sounds strange. Honestly, the only reason we went was because my mom said it would be a good experience. I wasn't convinced. The only thing I knew about John D. Rockefeller was that he was some Oil Tycoon that made lots and lots of money and eventually owned like, most of NYC.

But when we got there, to my suprise, I ended up being more impressed with the man thanI had origionally expected. Right in front of the huge building was a plaque inscripted with his beliefs:

I believe in the supreme with of the individual and in his right tolife, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I believe that every rightimplies a responsibility, every opportunity, an obligation; everypossession a duty.I believe that the law was made for man and not man for the law; thatgovernment is the servant of the people and not their master.

I believe in the dignity of labor, whether with head or hand; that heworld owes no man a living but it owes every man an opportunity tomake a living.

I believe that thrift is essential to well-ordered living and thateconomy is a prime request of a sound financial structure, whether ingovernment, business or personal affairs.

I believe in the sacredness of a promise, that a man's word should beas good as his bond; that character-not wealth or power or position-is of supreme worth.

I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty ofmankind and that only in the purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross(waste matter) of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the humansoul set free.

I believe in all-wise-and all-loving God, named by whatever name, andthat the individuals highest fulfillment, greatest happiness, andwidest usefulness are to be found in living in harmony with His will.

I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world; that it alone can overcome hate; that right can and will triumph over might.”

After reading this, I thought to myself "self, this man is deeper than some cut throat business tycoon, he is obviously a christian." It was obvious to me. Nothing on this plaque is origional and anyone that has read the Bible knows that, but as I looked around at the other people reading the plaque I realized that not one person around me was of the christian faith. I struck up a conversation with the muslim man next to me. I asked him what he thought of the plaque and he said that they are very bold statements and someone in his country would be arrested for such statements. I asked him what he thought if his beliefs (particularly the "all-wise-and-loving-God" part) and he said that he believes he is a strong man and he believes in God, just not like Christians do. "Poor Chirsitans are decieved" he said. We talked a little and bounced off our beliefs and ideas and the reasoning behind them. In the end, nothing really happened (meaning I didn't pray with him and baptize him in the fountain or anything..haha) but I hope if anything I planted a seed. And without this plaque, I would have never had the opportunity. Like I said, I don't know much about John D. Rockefeller and his life, but I respect him because if anything, he left something behind that will plant seeds in the hearts of people around the world that come to see his amazing accomplishments. Reading that plaque inspired me to want to live like that and it gave me an awesome opportunity.