So, I have had six kids in just over eight years. That means, every summer since I have been married, I have either been pregnant or had a newborn. As a result, this momma had no desire to take her kids to the pool. However, my oldest two did go to swimming lessons when they were 3-5. But if you don’t use it, you lose it… I guess.
Last summer we were given the opportunity to go to the pool a few times. The first time, my oldest was thrown into the deep end. But he froze in terror and completely forgot how to swim. I saw him bob up and down twice, before going over and pulling him to the side of the pool. He was fine after the shock wore off and determined to re-learn how to swim.
A week or so later, we went to another pool. We had a good time swimming or floating (for most of my kids). But as we were getting ready to leave, my four-year-old decided to jump back in the pool without her floaty wings. My heart sank as I saw her bobbing up and down in the water. I pulled her up and blew into her face. She was fine… but mom was shaken.
I couldn’t get it out of my head. In less than 2 weeks, 2 of my kids almost drowned. I literally sat during my morning prayer time consumed with this thought. In my heart I heard, Two of your kids almost drowned. One forgot. One never knew. Who needed saved more?
I can’t choose between my kids!!! They both needed to be saved!!! No way would I let any of my children drown regardless of the reason they were in that position.
I definitely got the impression that was the message I needed to hear. If I can’t choose between my children, how in the world do you think God feels???
The world is full of drowning people. Drowning in addiction. Drowning in people pleasing. Drowning in hurt and unforgiveness. Drowning is comparison. Drowning in pride. Drowning in debt. Drowning and they don’t even know it.
They are all drowning in SIN.
They all need saved. They need to know the love of Jesus!
Does it matter whether they once knew about Jesus and forgot… or if they never knew? Who needs it more…?
They both need saved!!! They both need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ and that it is possible to live a life with Him by you side.
As this story resurfaced in my heart, so did the story in the Bible where Jesus was eating with… sinners… and the Pharisees tried calling him out on it. However, Jesus wisely responded, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:17)
It doesn’t matter why they are sick… born with it… bad genetics… bad habits… they need a doctor.
Obviously, Jesus was not talking physical sickness here. He was referring to emotional sickness… spiritual sickness… sin.
It doesn’t matter why the person is living in sin, they need the cure!
People who are in sin need someone to point them to the cure- Jesus!
You can’t just tell someone they are a sinner and going to Hell. That will not point them to the cure, in fact it will probably turn them away from the possibility of accepting that Cure.
Friends, Jesus was eating with sinners when he spoke those wise words above. Follow that example. Jesus showed love and led by example.
You, too, must love them, eat with them, be with them, let the light of Jesus shine through you so that your words matter when spoken. When truth is shared, it might falls on fertile soil.
Church, it is our job to point the sick to the Cure! Point them to Jesus!
So I ask you- who needs saved more?
It doesn’t matter if they forgot or never knew.
They all need Jesus.
He (Jesus) said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
Mark 16:15
*Bonus Thought*
Keep yourself well too! Make sure you are being filled! Be in the Word! Be in Prayer! Go to church! Surround yourself with people who strengthen your faith and help you walk the straight and narrow. Stay on that path and along the way- point all those who you come in contact with to the HOPE you have in Christ! Show them there is a better way!
As COVID 19 has halted our church gatherings, I have been saying, “That sucks, but Church is not a building.” I do agree with that statement still. BUT that building at we fellowship at, that we are poured into, feed scripture and prayer, that building that equips up- we call that building- church. And going to church is vital to the health of Christians so that we can go and BE the Church… reach the lost… the sick… the drowning.