Is There Hope for Homer?

Pastor Chris Ruppe (North Rock Hill Church, Rock Hill, S.C.) gave a powerful picture of hope in a sermon I heard this summer.

Chris used the image of a person floating at sea on a raft, out of supplies, barely conscious, in the glaring heat. Suddenly, the lifeless body opens one eye and sees land. A bolt energy comes from no where! Up the person jumps, full of excitement, he begins to paddle, even though the sharks are still swimming around the raft. He has hope because he can see land.

Hope is what God gives us when we are near death - when we are out of energy and all our supplies. Hope is not a mirage. Hope is seeing land.

Hope is a half-dead traveler who opens one eye and sees someone dressing his wounds (Luke 10:34). Hope is a Jesus sighting in the middle of a terrible storm (Matt. 14: 24-33).

Hurts, habits, hang-ups are issues that cause us to lose hope. We float along, barely alive. A coach, mentor, or friend can help us see land. Get some help, now.

Thanks for the inspiration Kathy -- who commented, "if you can coach Homer there is hope for all of us," (Not sure if that was about me or Homer). I will have another conversation with Homer on Thursday.

Wow, day #5 of our 25th wedding anniversary celebration. Every meal, every moment has been awesome! Hanging out with Yvette has never been sweeter!