Do Not Pass Me By

I remember watching a story on the television several years ago. It started with a couple who went to a tropical area for vacation. They decided to take a walk on the path, but the surroundings were so distracting that they soon lost their way.

Suddenly, they realized that they were in serious trouble. Hours went by. They could not find the path. Days went by and now reality started to sink in: They might not make it out of this situation alive.

Eventually, they gave up. They were exhausted, scared, and starving to death. But then...they heard something. It was the sound of a boat. With all of the strength that they could muster, they dove into the caiman infested water and screamed for that boat.

They were saved!

This story could preach on so many levels. But it wasn't the fact that they "veered off of the path" and its "safety" that moved my soul. It wasn't the pain, hunger and exhaustion. It wasn't the fear. And it wasn't the devastation of feeling that death was soon approaching. What shook me to my core was when they heard their salvation in the distance and felt hope. They reached out with every ounce of strength that they had left to grab onto that hope!

It reminds me of several stories in the Bible. The woman with the issue of blood pressed through the crowds. "There's my hope. If I can just touch the hem of His garment, I will be made whole." Blind Bartimaeus heard the Savior coming. "I hear the sound of hope. Here He comes. Have mercy on me!" I can relate. Can you? Were you crying out for Jesus? "Wait! I need You! I have been lost, hungry, thirsty, afraid and dying. But now I hear my Hope! And this changes everything. Oh, Lord, do not pass me by!"

One of my favorite songs is "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior." This song was written by Fanny Crosby in 1868. She had visited a detention center and heard one of the prisoners crying out for God to not pass him by. He was reaching for that hope!

Aren't you thankful for the hope that we have in Jesus? Do you need Him today? Call out to Him. Is someone needing that hope within you?

Grief

Are you struggling with grief? You can listen to my series and discussion on this topic in Renew. Or you can go to my YouTube channel and find only the series. This week I review: myths about grief, shock, denial, and facing loss.

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