Dear Representatives of our Living Lord:

I know Easter Sunday was a month ago, but we're still in the Easter season on the church calendar, and we're still in the business of celebrating new life!

Once upon a time, I pictured myself as a potential life-saver. I wasn't a strong enough swimmer to be a lifeguard (an important job to this day!). I did start donating blood as a senior in high school (an important gift still!). Beth and I did CPR training about as soon as it became widely available. (And I'm thankful we haven't had to use that yet! Though my older brother saved a guy who experienced cardiac arrest at the gym about 12 years ago!) I've saved the lives of a few turtles trying to cross the road in the springtime. And actually, I have saved a couple of people from suicide over the years-once by just being there at the right time to call 9-1-1. I thank God I was able to do that!

Come to think of it, aren't we all-as followers of Jesus and believers in the power of the resurrection-aren't we all called to be life-savers? And life-givers? In a world where there is so much senseless killing and so many lonely deaths, what do we have to offer?

One thing we do have to offer is the compassion, and the friendship, and the Good News of Jesus! And that was a life-saving and life-giving gift 2,000 years ago when the first apostles went out into the world. And that is a life-saving and life-giving gift today! We can give it in so many ways: There's are growing protests over the war in Gaza (and there probably should be peaceful ones!). But rather than pit one side against the other, can we agree to be pro-Palestinian? Pro-Israeli? And, try this: Pro-Iranian? Aren't all these persons and victims created in the image of God? Isn't war always abhorrent to God's will? Can we be for peace and for justice in every situation and place?

And the 'lifelines' we get to throw to people can be as simple as a kind greeting to a stranger or newcomer; a phone call to a friend or neighbor; a visit to someone who is lonely or struggling; a meal to someone who eats alone or has too many other things on their 'plate'. You never know when an invitation to worship, or to a study, or to youth or women's or men's group might be life-giving for someone as well, just to know they would be welcome and might have a change to 'belong' is a gift in itself.

In the Easter season's scripture readings, we see the work of the early church unfold, and it is life-giving stuff! Peter & John heal a lame man. The community shares its welcome, its food, and its possessions. The good news of a loving God and a living Lord turns people from dead-end paths. The promise that reaches from the last pages of scripture still beckons us: "See? I am making all things new!" Thank you for doing the life-saving that you do! Keep your eyes and ears and hearts open for even more opportunities!

- Pastor Paul