In September of 1985, there was a celebration held at a New Orleans municipal pool.  The party was being held in order to celebrate the first summer in memory without a drowning at the pool.  In honor of the occasion, two hundred people gathered, including one hundred certified lifeguards.  As the party was breaking up and the four lifeguards on duty began to clear the pool, they found a fully dressed body in the deep end.  They tried to revive Jerome Moody, 31, but it was too late.  He had drowned surrounded by lifeguards celebrating their successful season.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Some people show up at our church doors because they are new to the area and are looking for a place to worship.  Others come because they want their kids to have a good Biblical education.  Still others come because they have heard good things and want to see what we’re all about.

But every Sunday, you can guarantee that someone is coming because they just really need God.

Maybe their marriage is falling apart, or they have reached the end of their rope with the troubles they are facing.  Perhaps they see no hope in their future, or are weighed down by guilt.  And maybe it took everything in their being to pull themselves out of bed and drive down to NewLife, hoping that just maybe God would meet them there and lift them out of the pit.

Do you have the eyes to see these people?  Or are you just a lifeguard, there to celebrate with your friends, oblivious to the drowning man behind you?

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Many people who come to our church are not looking for more acquaintances.  They are not looking for more people with whom they can talk about the Red Sox, or discuss hobbies and pastimes and the economy.  They are looking for someone with whom they can talk about what is really going on in their heart, in their marriage, in their life.  They are looking for someone who will minister the healing love of God to them and walk beside them to freedom.

Will you be that person? 

It can be difficult for some people to get beyond the surface level, to find the questions that invite another person to open their heart to you.  If this describes you, may I recommend a few questions?

How is your spiritual life?
What are some of the challenges you’re facing in life right now?
How can I pray for you?

Or, maybe, you just need to take the lead and share from your heart about how you are really doing, the challenges you are facing, or how you could use prayer. 

Whatever it takes, remember that if you know Christ, then you know the one who is capable of saving drowning men.  Do not allow men and women to walk into our church, sit there surrounded by lifeguards, and slowly sink deeper and deeper under water.  Be the one who will reach out and lend a helping hand and lead them to the Savior.

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