Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Outstretched arms of Jesus

Many years ago I read a story of a man who had a nervous breakdown . On the doctor's advice, he went to a resort to take a holiday. But he could not get away from his worries and sleep just avoided him.

So in the middle of the night, he thought he would go the pool to have a swim. He stood by the pool, stretched his arms wide and was on the point of diving into the pool when he saw his own shadow in the pool resembling a cross.

He paused as memories came flooding into his mind. He recalled his childhood days in Sunday School, his youthful days with the Youth Group for at one time he was a very active Christian.

Somehow the days had taken their toll and  somehow his relationship with the Lord was not that good. In his busyness he had forgotten Christ. Suddenly he recalled the old hymn "When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died." He decided not to swim but go back to his room to pray.

Very early the next morning he made his way to the pool and received a shock that changed his life. For the night before, the caretaker had emptied the pool till it was completely dry. Had he dived in that night, he would have been killed.

From that day onwards whenever he saw or thought of the cross, he thought of God's sacrifice and how he was saved by the sight of the cross that night. From that day onwards whenever he went to swim, he always stretched out his hands and looked into the pool, a reminder of the night he was saved.

"And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me."—John 12:32.

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