Come with me if you want to live

By: Elora C. Seniah (aka Carole L. Haines) 

For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. (Romans 8:24-25) 

I found these little leaves from one of the Succulents I have in my Bay Window. I was about to gather them up and throw them away, when I noticed these little leaves had put out sprouts, and what looked like roots, at the very bottom of each one.  They had fallen from the main plant but still wanted to live and grow on their own. It was such an amazing testament to the drive to live that God put into all His Creation.  

I’m sure many of you noticed the quote in my title as on taken from the Movie, “Terminator 2-Judgment Day.” This is one of my favorite action hero movies. Arnold Schwarzenegger is perfect in this role. I won’t go into the plot, but the drive to live and fulfill one’s destiny and calling are front and center in this movie. O, and of course, as in a lot of action movies, the fate of the world hangs in the balance. The world itself is yearning for redemption, even as we are.  

For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.  
(Romans 8:19-21) 

Jesus speaks to our hearts as He calls us unto Himself. Scripture is clear in the fact that Jesus died for the sins of all mankind. But only those who choose to heed His call to come, repent, turn away from sin and unto Him; will be saved.  

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (Romans 10:8-10) 

Even as these little plant leaves demonstrate, no matter what life throws at us, we have a strong desire to live. We are spiritual beings, not just physical, and our spirits are searching for a Savior. That Savior is Jesus, and He is speaking to each one of us saying, “Come with me if you want to live.” Heed the voice of this precious, loving and powerful Savior of the world. We wait in Hope for Him.