'Some random thoughts floating around, but all surround two symbols--the anchor and the lifesaver.

Please reread Acts 27.27-44 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/index.php?search=Acts%2027.27-44&version=31&interface=print -- the amazing story of Paul's third shipwreck. As the broken ship goes down, we find the men grabbing whatever they can--FLOTSAM, pieces of the ship floating by--to make it to shore. ' Recently watched "The Titanic" for the first time, and have the pictures indelibly imprinted on my mind of the people scrambling to get to anything that would float, in order to be saved--a most desperate visual. . . people grabbing on to anything that might help them get to safety. And then, last week, Danny (my 11-year-old) went out on a fishing boat--had a fabulous time, and a big 'catch''; anyways, when I picked up he and his buddies, I asked if they went to one spot and fished, and how it worked. They told me the boat had a HUGE anchor that took a couple of the deckhands to cast over the side, and that is what kept them in the area they wanted to fish. Anchor. . . used for the purpose of mooring a vessel to the bottom, securing a location. Anchor. . . figuratively, a person or thing that provides people with stability, assurance, or confidence.

And then, just like that. . . two old hymns came to mind. . . "My Anchor Holds" and "Rescue the Perishing". There is a lot of great theology in the classic hymns of the faith, and I love them. (Actually, when I am walking or driving and want to praise God by singing, the only songs that come to mind are the old hymns! Isn't that freaky? With all of the other great worship music I consume, and all I can pull up are hymns. . . weird.) The lyrics of the songs are consistent with their titles. Here's the thing--if I have a sure anchor, and I am watching people around me sink, shouldn't I be compelled to try to rescue them? But, just how do I throw out a lifeline or a lifesaver to someone who is perishing? That depends on two things--what is taking them down, and what your relationship is to them. One of my dear friends is caught in the throes of a storm, but he knows what it is to have an Anchor, and to trust that Anchor--but what does the lifesaver that he might throw to the 'perishing' look like? So often, people say, 'I know she is hurting so much, but I don't know what to do." The worst thing to do, I'm convinced, is nothing. Then your friend is not only hurting, but alone, and thinking no one cares. Depending on the circumstance and your proximity, you might offer to serve them in some way. Do their grocery shopping, drive their children, mow their lawn, and tell them you are praying for them. Pious platitudes are not helpful; when folks are hurting, they want to know you care, and that you care enough to pray for them.

And then there is the greatest lifesaver of all--telling someone who is far from God about the One who loves them. Just yesterday I was discussing spiritual gifts with my daughter and we talked about the gift of evangelism. Years ago, I was quick to decline having that gift, because I knew I wasn't at all like Billy Graham, but I sure didn't want to be associated with Jimmy Swaggert either! Yet I truly cared if my neighbors and loved ones didn't know God, and probably weren't going to go to Heaven; that bothered me a lot. I used to skate, (rollerblade) in my neighborhood and touch the cars in people's driveways and pray for the people by name, asking God to draw them to Himself. Interesting to note: I was thinking about it today, and several I prayed for DID become followers of Christ. Telling someone about how meaningful your relationship is with Jesus is throwing them the greatest lifesaver ever. See, when God thinks about the 'perishing', He is thinking about the lost; you hold the lifesaver they need. Throw it. Christine