Monday, October 13, 2003
Monday, October 13, 2003
Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving
heart that turns away from the living God.
When I read that, I wondered to myself if it might be possible, right here in the body of Christ,
right here with all the certified life guards, Sunday School teachers, officers of the church, choir
members, pastors and all, could it be possible that there is someone who is drowning?
Someone who is hurting so inside that there has come a barrier between them and God.
Take time to show you care.
(Hebrews 3.12
NRSV)
In 1985 there was a celebration in New Orleans. New Orleans is a town known for celebrating,
but this was a special kind of celebration. Sponsored by the city, it was a celebration at the
municipal pool in New Orleans. The city's life guards and support personnel were
commemorating the first summer in memory with no drownings in the pools of that city. Two
hundred people showed up for that party; one hundred of them were certified life guards. They
had a great time, but as the party broke up, and the four life guards on duty for the occasion
cleared the water, they found a fully dressed body in the deep end of the pool. Jerome Moody,
age 31, had drowned right in the midst of the celebration. They tried in vain to revive him.
Dear Jesus, you have cared for me. Help me to care for others. Amen.
