In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10 (NIV)
The people are gathering by the edge of the ocean
shore. Their interest quickly increasing;
gazing at the water wondering what has become of the lady that casually entered
the ocean and now is nowhere to be found. It’s a race, frantic search so that
the life of one would not be lost. Those
trained to rescue life; to intercept death; the lifeguards quickly engage as
they enter the body of water.
This story was written when I was about 10 years
old. My father’s secretary, her name was
Betty, at the time learned that I enjoyed writing and gave me a gift that is
now echoing in my life at the age of 51.
She purchased a cedar box of pencils that spurred me to write. I can still smell the wood as it brings me to
my Bronx apartment window that faced the roof of the building next door. By that window I would begin to write my
stories. I did not know what to write so
I would look through magazines, cut out a photo that I liked and then I would
let my imagination run. My image, a
beach with spectators; I began to fabricate a story to go with my new found
inspiration.
Decades later I am still writing but I have discovered a
new inspiration! The very true Word of
God speaks very clearly. I find myself
dialoguing with my God about everything; joys, fears, things that perplex me,
anything that’s on my heart.
As I recently thought about this little 10 year old
writing (me) it confirmed a reality
about the scene on the beach. We are all like the lady that was missing in the
midst of this vast ocean. Many are
wondering if we will live; if indeed we will be rescued. There is a cloud of witnesses standing on the
edge wondering if life will escape us.
We are born and engage life without realizing that the
Good Lord has left us instructions; a letter of Hope; a love letter that
reveals a heart that is relentless; the heart of the Father that will do
anything to rescue me. I am no longer
writing my story with my number two pencil in my cedar little box, but One
greater than me is revealing a story he has written about me. The perils of life are all around me luring
me toward my demise, but here comes the Life-Savior, the One who guards me life.
The Father’s love dispatches One who
can rescue and revive the dead. Yes, he
can pull those that are drowning and breathe new life; a life that will be so new, we will look back
and say, that was the old me. He
rescues, restores and redirects.
Hallelujah!
So from what I can recall, the lady in my article was
rescued by the lifeguard. The crowd
cheering that she was found and saved. A
little glue on my construction paper; add the cut out image and my imaginary story
came to life. It concludes with a happy
ending.
Life is not an imaginary story where everyone lives
happily ever after. Life is precious and
quickly vanishes. He whispers and calls
to us; he is the Lifeguard that came to guarantee life, eternal life!
Have you seen him running when you have been far off to
meet you at your point of need? I
have. He has rescued my soul and life
has begun again, a new life for me.
I have read that there is a great a cloud of witnesses surrounding me, cheering me to lay aside every
encumbrance and sin which can easily entangles me. The crowd cheers, run with endurance the race that is set before you, fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Do not grow weary or lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3) He reminds me he has rescued me and will continue to be the one who guards my life. The Spirit of God, who lives inside me, continues to spur me onto good works.
My story has ended
well. I too got rescued.
Drowning? Feel overwhelmed? Call for the Life-Savoir; you’ll notice he is
already coming toward you—just surrender.
God bless you!~Liz
www.lizrod.com
www.lizrod.com
