A Drop of Blood

Yesterday, I was walking in an older district of our town.  The homes have well groomed yards and are often grandiose in scale and architectural detail.  It is quite a sight-seeing experience, especially with trees already blooming for the spring.

The wind was blowing.  Suddenly, in the midst of all the beauty, something caught my eye.  It was not a swing, a gate, a dog, or a beautiful bay window.  Caught in the branches of a tree, was a red Mylar balloon.  It was difficult not to just stop and stare at this unusual sight.  It was not what my senses were expecting.  I continued to desire to look at the image, and  I longed to know more about it.  How long had it been there?  What kind of balloon was it.  Who did it belong to?  All of these questions reminded of another experience and thought that had been mulling around in my head for the last couple of days. 

We had a red visitor at our house on Saturday evening.  In fact, we had another one on Sunday morning.  Two red paper, hot-air balloons landed in our yard.  They were such a curious sight that I searched online seeking there origination.  I so wanted to know how far they had traveled.  What was the purpose of their launching?  I even asked the local television station and others online.  I only found out there is a maker of them in Denmark.  Did they come from there?  Not finding answers did not satisfy me.  I will continue to look.

Is that what unbelievers do when they get a glimpse of a drop of Christ's blood in our lives?  Does it so grab their attention that they simply cannot let it go.  We may have released our balloon into the air and are not even aware that others are scrambling to know more about this love.  Are we the tree sculpture holding tightly to the shiny, red, Mylar balloon that can be the freedom of another?  This thought and visual example challenged me to put aside all shame and procrastination. 

Whose to say?  Today may be the day another stops to ponder of the love of Christ.  Is my living and obedience a testimony to others?  This is not a condemning thought.  Rather, I am stirred to LIVE in love, to show love, to run and not grow weary. 

^"Those who hope in the LORD 

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;  

they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)