Within Reach

Have you ever seen one of those disaster films where two astronauts are out in space – tethered to their ship, and the line on one of the astronauts breaks? 

Invariably at this point the music swells and there are desperate moments of tension while the audience waits for the script to play out.  Will the remaining astronaut be able to reach out a hand and save the one floating away, or will the untethered astronaut float away into the dark, cold space?

As I was thinking about our relationship with God today, that picture came to mind. 

Who is beyond God’s reach? 

·         Adulterers?

·         Murderers?

·         Liars?

·         Drunkards?

·         Thieves?

No, the Bible shows us that despite our flaws – God still loves us and is always willing to lend a hand if we just reach out.

·        David was both an adulterer and a murderer yet the Bible calls him “a man after God’s own heart?

·        Peter lied when he denied Jesus three times, yet Jesus loved him, and when He had risen from the dead, Jesus entrusted Peter to lead his people

·        Noah was a drunkard yet God saved him and his family from the flood

And,

·        To the thief who hung on the cross with Jesus, Jesus said, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

In the story of the prodigal son, who demanded his share of his inheritance early and then spent it all on wild living, when he returned home his father RAN to greet him.

When Jim and I honeymooned in Italy I had the opportunity to see the Sistine Chapel.  At the center of Michelangelo’s famous artwork is the painting of God and Adam.  If you look at it, you will see that God is reaching, actually straining to touch Adam.  For his part, in order for that connection to be made, all Adam has to do is LIFT HIS FINGER.

These stories remind me that no matter what I’ve done, God wants me for His own, and all I need to do to be saved from floating in the abyss like an untethered astronaut, is to acknowledge that by reaching out to Him.

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