~ written by Connie Dunmyer
I wasn’t at all sure what to write about today. My mind kept swimming with ideas and possibilities – none of which seemed to be ok’d by the Holy Spirit. But even as I lay awake, I kept thinking, “God will give me what to say in time. Don’t worry.”
So this morning, as I was watching the news, it hit me . . . like a flash flood.
There was an interview with a young 16-year-old girl, who was one of the campers who was rescued at the Christian camp in Texas. She explained how more and more girls were added to their room because of the flooding. And even through the fear, she has the presence of mind for this thought & action. She said she grabbed her name tag and pinned it on her because, in her words “in case they have to identify my body, at least they will know who I am.”
First of all, I thought, what poise for this young girl. What presence of mind. What calmness in the face of danger. And why oh why did someone this young even have to have that thought cross her mind.
But then I thought, how would I react? And immediately my mind said, “I am identified with Christ. I have HIS Nametag on my heart. And one day, when I cross over the great river of life, I will be identified by that tag. I have no need to fear.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 – If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Romans 8:1-2 – There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
Colossians 3:1-3 – Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
If, per chance, you are reading this and you do not have the confidence that Jesus’ Nametag is on your soul . . . if you have never asked Him to forgive you, to live in you, and to guide you through this life and into the next . . . consider praying this prayer.
"Lord Jesus, for too long, I've kept you out of my life. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. By faith, I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life.”
If you prayed that prayer and believed it in your heart, you have been born again! Hooray! Jesus’ Name is tattooed on your heart. You need not fear life or death ever again because you belong to Him now. Begin by picking up a Bible, or reading it online. God will lead you into amazing things!
I leave you all with the Oscar Hammerstein quote that Dick Eastland always taught to his campers at the Camp Mystic Christian camp. His life was also tragically lost as he tried so hard to save those dear children.
“A bell's not a bell 'til you ring it.
A song's not a song 'til you sing it.
Love in your heart wasn't put there to stay.
Love isn't love 'til you give it away!”
Pray for the families of all those lost. Don't just "think" about it. Really pray for them. Pray for the comfort only God can bring. And if you are able, support good organizations that are bringing aid to that devastated community.
Mercury One | Samaritan's Purse | Matthew 25 Ministries