A Lifeline

Hurricane Harvey offered the city of Houston and surrounding areas an opportunity to experience the gifts of help, unity, and concentrating on a common cause.  One of the touching stories that continues to resurface is the video of the elderly man caught in the flood waters in his SUV.  People that witnessed the situation immediately began to form a human chain.  At that point in time, it didn’t matter their ethnicity, political preference, religion, or job status.  Regardless of commonality or cross differences, they all worked together.  If at any time the chain had broken, it would have been almost impossible to rescue the man safely.   Steve Hartman of NBC News, New York reported, “In this case, the chain happens.  When Mother Nature’s at its worst human nature is at its best.  The challenge will be as the flood waters recede, will we still be able to love at these same record levels."

What a great reminder of the gift of eternal life that we are offered through Jesus.  When we were at our worst, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins so that we could be rescued and offered a lifeline to God. 

This past Sunday, we celebrated the decision our grandson made to ask Jesus to be his Lord and Savior.  Acts 2:21 states “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-10 promises that “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”  As a statement of his decision, David was baptized this past Sunday morning.

As we remember God’s love, presence, and provision during these days, may we reflect His light and lead others to Him so they too may be rescued and saved.  May He help us wash away all that divides, pollutes, and makes us less than our best.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:36-40