My friend, may I ask you a question? Is it possible to have hope when things seem hopeless? If we are without hope how can we find it?
My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day. I’m M. Clifford Brunner?
One of the greatest fears that has stuck with me event to this day is a fear of deep water. There’s just something about not knowing where the bottom is that has always filled me with fear. This hasn’t, however, kept me from going out in a boat or canoe. I remember one occasion when my brothers and I were fishing on Clear Lake in northern Wisconsin. The fish hadn’t been particularly active that morning and we began doing what three boys should never to do in a small row- boat—just horsing around. Suddenly, before I knew it, I had fallen overboard. To this day I remember the sensation of sinking under the water and then resurfacing several yards away from the boat. It was an intense feeling of hopelessness as I drifted one way and my brothers the other. Yet, the minute my brother Kurt lifted an oar in my direction, even though I was floating over a hopeless depth, a feeling of hope poured over me. I grabbed the oar and he pulled me in.
Is it possible to have hope when things seem hopeless? If we are without hope how can we find it?
Here’s a story: A number of years ago researchers performed an experiment to see the effect hope has on those undergo- ing hardship. Two sets of laboratory rats were placed in separate tubs of water. The researchers left one set in the water and found that within an hour they had all drowned. The other rats were periodically lifted out of the water and then returned. When that happened, the second set of rats swam for over 24 hours. Why? Not because they were given a rest, but because they suddenly had hope! (Today in the Word, May, 1990, p. 34.)
Those animals somehow hoped that if they could stay afloat just a little longer, someone would reach down and rescue them. If hope holds such power for unthinking rodents, how much greater should its effect be on our lives. Life will always put us in hopeless situations at one time or another. The key to survival is knowing that in hopelessness, we have a God who provides hope. He reaches out with the oar of His love and lifts us up when we are sinking. So, we can go on even when we must share our life with a hopeless feeling. The key is grabbing the oar and not looking at the deep water.
We pray. Heavenly Father. If hope holds such power for unthinking rodents, how much greater should its effect be on our lives? Life will always put us in hopeless situations Lord at one time or another. Teach us Father that the key to survival is knowing that in hopelessness, we have a God who provides hope. You reach out with the oar of Your love and lift us up when we are sinking. So, we can go on even when we must share our life with a hopeless feeling. Teach us Lord that the key is grabbing the oar and not looking at the deep water. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
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<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.