The power of an example …

The title of the movie “Hope Floats” came to mind recently when I read about an experiment done with a bunch of rats.

In his book “Where Is God?” Dr. John Townsend tells of an experiment using two groups of rats who were placed in water. The first group were left entirely on their own without any help and, thus, succumbed to despair and then drowning fairly quickly. In the second group, occasionally an observer would reach in and rescue one of the rats from the water. Seeing this, the rats in the second group strived longer and harder to stay afloat with the hope of being plucked from the water in the same way they had seen others rescued.

Such is the power of a testimony or example of a life that has been touched by God. When others see what God has done in, through, or for you, it can encourage them to try a little longer and a little harder, with the hope that God can work in their lives as well.

1 Timothy 4:10 says, “This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers” and Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

As Christians, our hope is in God. We know how He can transform lives and is the very source of our hope for both today and the future. Experiencing this hope allows us an opportunity to be a beacon of hope to others, pointing them to the One who can meet every need and do more than they could possibly imagine.

Scotty