SAVED!

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

Lightning split the ominous black sky in two. Thunder exploded and shook the wet rocky cliff the young man clung to. His fingers dug into the cracked shale as he attempted to keep from slipping and falling to his death. Sharp jagged rocks dug into his face as he embraced the meager security the rock wall offered. He was drenched to the bone from the raindrops that pelted him like needles as they struck his body. He shivered from the deadly cold wind that tugged at him as if it had a mind of its own, wishing to pull him off the side of the cliff. He was doomed, doomed to remain on this rocky cliff the rest of his life, alone. No one knew he was here. No one cared. Hopeless and afraid the young man’s only option was to dig his bloodied fingers deeper into the rocky cliff and attempt to hang on for dear life.

 

Amidst the thunder of the storm and the horrible wind, the young man heard something. Was it a voice? The young man strained his ears to discern amidst the cacophony of noise the subtle voice.

 

“Let me save you.”

 

“Who is that?”

 

“Let me save you.”

 

“Who are you?”

 

“I’m here to save you.”

 

The young man cautiously gazed upwards.  Out of the corner of his eye he perceived what appeared to be a human hand reaching down towards him from the edge of the cliff. Was someone really here to save him from his certain death?

 

“How can I trust you? You might let me fall.”

 

“I won’t let you fall. I’m here to save you.”

 

The frightened young man didn’t know what to do. The cliff was dangerous, but it did offer a type of perverted security. Why should he trust this stranger? What if this would‑be rescuer couldn’t hold onto him?  What if it was just a twisted joke that would end in his death? Why would anyone want to save him anyway?

 

Thunder broke his concentration as it shook his world. Splintered rocks fell down upon his head as part of the cliff gave way. He heard the voice again.

 

“There’s not much time. Please take my hand and let me save you.”

 

“How can I believe you won’t let me fall?”

 

“You must have faith, there is no other way.”

 

The young man pried his hand out of the crevice it had been grasping and slowly reached out for the hand of his rescuer. With one strong purposeful effort the young man was lifted to safety.

 

The young man collapsed on the soft green grass and his rescuer placed a warm blanket around him. The young man wept for joy at being saved from his predicament and managed a humble question.

 

“What can I do to repay you for saving me?”

 

“There is nothing you can do to repay me. All I ask is that you help me find others that are stranded without hope as you were.”

 

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

Luke 19:10