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The Missionary, the Chieftain, & the Two Wolves
Years ago a missionary came to live among the Inuit people where many members of the tribe converted to his faith, including the Chieftain of the small village. The missionary and the Chieftain became very close and counted one another as a brother in every way. When the missionary was called to minister elsewhere, the two were saddened by the thought of parting, but made a covenant to pray for each other and hoped that one day they would meet again.
Several years later the missionary was able to visit the village again. Filled with anticipation, he hurried to the home of his brother and friend. The two smiled and greeted each other passionately, but the missionary sensed some tension in the Chieftain’s hug.
Leaning back slightly, but still holding the Chieftain’s shoulders, he grinned and asked, ”Brother, how are you?” The Chieftain replied, “I am fine. The children and wife are well.” Not quite satisfied with the answer, the missionary repeated his question, this time being certain to look his brother directly in the eye. “Brother, how are you?” Trying to avert his gaze slightly the Chieftain answered, “Oh, the church is growing and we had three baptisms last month.”
Now the missionary clearly sensed that as the Chieftain was struggling with some private matter and stooped slightly so he could look directly up into his friend’s downcast stare. Smiling sympathetically and tapping his friend with one finger on his breastbone, the missionary asked again, “Brother, how are you? How’s your soul?”
Swallowing hard, the Chieftain confessed, “It feels as if there are two wolves fighting in my heart. There are the things that I know I should do and the things that I want to do. There is the way I used to be and the way I desire to be. It seems that the wolves are constantly at war within me.”
“Oh my dear brother, I do understand and I know this fight too! I only ask you this… which wolf will win?” As he watched a tear form in the corner of the Chieftain’s eye, the missionary waited silently and squeezed the Chieftain’s shoulder lovingly. Lifting his gaze to meet the eyes of his friend and brother, the Chieftain swallowed hard and answered, “The one that I feed.”
Many of the choices that we make every day can fight for or against our smoke-free lifestyle. The things we listen to and watch will in some way, large or small, influence our wolves. Where we go and who we spend our time with can feed one wolf or the other. Today and tomorrow may you see your choices clearly and seek to feed the right wolf.
Several years later the missionary was able to visit the village again. Filled with anticipation, he hurried to the home of his brother and friend. The two smiled and greeted each other passionately, but the missionary sensed some tension in the Chieftain’s hug.
Leaning back slightly, but still holding the Chieftain’s shoulders, he grinned and asked, ”Brother, how are you?” The Chieftain replied, “I am fine. The children and wife are well.” Not quite satisfied with the answer, the missionary repeated his question, this time being certain to look his brother directly in the eye. “Brother, how are you?” Trying to avert his gaze slightly the Chieftain answered, “Oh, the church is growing and we had three baptisms last month.”
Now the missionary clearly sensed that as the Chieftain was struggling with some private matter and stooped slightly so he could look directly up into his friend’s downcast stare. Smiling sympathetically and tapping his friend with one finger on his breastbone, the missionary asked again, “Brother, how are you? How’s your soul?”
Swallowing hard, the Chieftain confessed, “It feels as if there are two wolves fighting in my heart. There are the things that I know I should do and the things that I want to do. There is the way I used to be and the way I desire to be. It seems that the wolves are constantly at war within me.”
“Oh my dear brother, I do understand and I know this fight too! I only ask you this… which wolf will win?” As he watched a tear form in the corner of the Chieftain’s eye, the missionary waited silently and squeezed the Chieftain’s shoulder lovingly. Lifting his gaze to meet the eyes of his friend and brother, the Chieftain swallowed hard and answered, “The one that I feed.”
Many of the choices that we make every day can fight for or against our smoke-free lifestyle. The things we listen to and watch will in some way, large or small, influence our wolves. Where we go and who we spend our time with can feed one wolf or the other. Today and tomorrow may you see your choices clearly and seek to feed the right wolf.
