Staring into the eyes of a drowning student. When we were missionaries to the students down in the small mountain town of Durango Colorado we did a lot of outdoor activites with the students. There was a bridge to jump off into a river, rafting and tubing on the river, hiking, caving... a ton of stuff. And Master Plan has a lodge in the mountains where we would have retreats twice a semester. A nice hike away there was spud lake. That's really it in the picture. Amazing what God did huh!? Beautiful! The first week of school pretty much ever year we would take around 20 students on a hike to spud lake for an afternoon. One year some students decided to jump in a swim across. I was not super worried. These were college students after all, not 2 year olds. Surely they wouldn't jump in if they didn't think they could make it the whole way across. But I failed to think about thier attire. One guy who jumped in was wearing jeans. He got to the middle of the lake and stopped and then started to swim back. I stood on the shore watching him, wondering why he was coming back. When he was a few feet straight in front of me in the water he looked at me with a face of desperation and said, "help". I was incredibly confused, trying to figure out if he was joking. He was right there at the shore, I thought, 'All he has to do is put is feet down'. So paralyzed by not knowing if he really needed me and not knowing exactly what to do, rendered me useless in the face of this drowing student. He was about to drown and I did nothing! Someone behind me ran into the water and pulled him out and helped him down the mountain. It was after this students life was saved that I realized he was serious, it was a matter of life or death. How easy it is to be that person paralyzed by not knowing if someone really needs us or not knowing exactly what to do in the face of a dying and going to hell person. After that experience, I want to error on the side of stepping to action instead of paralyzyed by fear and confusion. How beautiful that God can make an object lesson out of such a horrifying situation and use it to further His kingdom! Oh Lord, would you transform our minds, hearts and emotions and make us people who know You deeply and who are quick to action. Quick to have conversations about You and what it means to know You personally. Conversations about how to recieve forgiveness. Conversations about how incredible You are. Make us vessels of Your message for Your glory.  Praising God for these beautiful gifts: #237 The beautiful leaves in our back yard #238 Many leaves for the boys to jump in #239 Chaos. I mean loud, rambunctious boys where I can learn peace is not soley a setting. #240 Getting to go to relevant next year #241 Getting to submit to my husband when it's not easy #242 Time to read yesterday #243 The desire to speak and teach God's Word #244 Desire to learn #245 Ability to learn  I'm linked up with these great ladies:
Nebraska Graceful, Beauty in His Grip, A Holy Experience, Laura Boggess, Finding Heaven Today & Pause on the Path.
21 Comments
Yes, God is amazing how He does that -- makes something beautiful out of something that was not. Thank you for sharing this wonderful example of always erring on the side of stepping into action!
Laura:
How frightening to have that experience and yet a good lesson. In addition, it's a wake up call to those we know who have not yet become believers. May we be guided by the Holy Spirit when we are to speak and when we are to be silent. Sometimes seeing faith in action can open someone's eyes and cause them to ask about our faith. 10/16/2011 11:32:03 pm
I still sometimes hesitate, but not as much anymore, about sharing my faith when someone comes to me with a problem. For me, all life's problems must be solved with God...there just isn't any other answer, so why try to hide it?
Hello Jen, I read, you sometimes hesitate to share your faith with others. 'Sarah's Letter' may help you - please try to read it, again and again, in www.his-amazing-love.org 10/17/2011 02:13:21 am
I love your post ...they remind me of what is really important. How many "drowing souls" will I make eye contact with today as I am out and about? There's a reason it's called "out" reach! Thank you! What a humbling story and yes, what a wonderful thing how God uses nearly every instance in our life to whisper grace and change our perspective. Might our eyes and hearts be open more and more to this. Thanks for the post- just stopping by from Ann's to share grace. 10/17/2011 05:49:58 am
Wow, Laura, what a gripping and convicting story. I am a hesitator, so I could relate to this in a big way. Thanks for making me stop in my tracks and think about fear, paralysis and what motivates me to act. Such a wonderful story, and as Jessica said above me, humbling, too. To always be ready to help --- I've missed my share of opportunities, too, because I've taken so much time wondering if it was a real need or not. Thank you so much for the reminder here to develop a discerning spirit.
Carol
10/17/2011 10:19:08 am
Thankyou for the story and lesson. How I needed to be reminded of how we should be ready at any time! Thanks again. 10/20/2011 01:04:55 pm
Hi! Stopping by from A Holy Experience.
Hi, I came into this while searching a photo on 'serve'. May use your photo of 'pouring the water' for my posters on Scripture? 6/26/2012 03:38:15 pm
I think it was a confusing and nervous movement for you but know with that experience i am sure you had your lesson of life and death. 8/20/2012 03:27:05 pm
Very useful post.. I hope you will continue your same best work and we will get more informative post which can helpful to us. Thanks for this!!! Leave a Reply. |
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