China, India, and Indonesia are not
only the largest rice producers in the world; they also outpace all other
countries in rice consumption with China leading the pack1. When I think of rice I think of rice paddies, but not all rice is submerged in water for cultivation. Paddies do, however, have an advantage in controlling
weeds and pests.
You might of have been thinking when I mentioned, “RICE IS LIFE” – that Jesus is life. I know this may seem kind of weird,
but "the bread of life" could sensibly be translated as "the rice of life" in those countries with high levels of rice consumption [cf. Jn 6:35; Mt 26:26; Jn
6:54-58; Lk 22:19]. Chinese and Indians could relate or identify with that
translation rather quickly; of course, believing in Him for salvation is another matter.
When it comes to food security, post-harvest grain losses in developing nations due to logistical challenges run to the tune of $89 billion in US dollars annually. One study indicated that if the sources of these losses could be eliminated, enough food would be saved every year in India alone to feed 70 to 100 million for a year1. You can begin to understand that this company’s slogan; “RICE IS LIFE” is much richer in its meaning. Getting back to rice grown in paddies, maybe we could control some of the weeds and vermin of our old nature if we flooded ourselves with the water of life, just saying.
Well, I didn’t finish the rest of the story
looking at that bag of rice; there's a twist to it. You won’t believe what kind of rice was in there.
Keep in mind the company's slogan; the rice in that bag was called, “Forbidden Rice!” What
good is “LIFE IS RICE” if it’s forbidden?! Isn‘t there always a catch or caveat
when the world is offering something good (I know; don’t take it literally!)? Whether
you see Jesus as the bread of life or the rice of life, with Him, there is no “forbidden”
associated with Him unless you leave this life without Him. All are invited to
come, and all are bidden (Jn 3:16). “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psa
34:8).
While we are on the subject, perhaps
we should just flood ourselves with the water of the Word to help our spiritual
growth rate, so we can pass out the rice of life to all in need, to all that hunger for the truth. I’m thinking of getting myself some more of that spiritually nutritional bidden rice (Rev 21:6;
22:17); strange as it may sound, being a walking rice paddy for God is not a bad idea. <><
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