Saving Lives… Hello Hump Day readers. This devotion has a question for you before you start reading it: “what does a live-saver” mean to you—and I’m not talking about the candy! Now, my story.

A few days ago, a camper came up to see if they could add another day on their campsite. I told them we were filled but if a site opened I would get back to them. Sure enough, within the hour I got a call to cancel a reservation. So, I got in touch with the folks who wanted to add on another day and told them to come up to the booth and make a reservation for that site. It took them but a few minutes and there they were with big smiles on their faces. But what happened next changed my day in a way I would never have thought.

When we finished the transaction, the lady shook my hand and said “Cyndy, you are truly a life-saver.” That set me back, after all, this is just another night in a campground site! But I was totally wrong. It was then I saw her tears and I asked her if she was OK. She wiped the tears and then smiled saying “we are going home to two funerals and we just needed time to process, cry together, pray, and get our wits about us.” That’s when I told her I am a chaplain and if there was anything I could help them with please let me know. Together, we prayed, then we laughed, shared stories about grief and how our faith is so important. Then off the two of them went with huge smiles on their faces and me—I had a smile as well.

However, I still couldn’t get over that word about ‘life-saver’. As I thought about it, I was reminded of my early days as a Paramedic. Often our blood-bank was so low to the point that didn’t have enough to help those in need. Because of my auto-immune disease I couldn’t give blood but that didn’t stop me from getting the word out that we need it because people will die without it. I remember the blood bank in Wausau, Wisconsin, where they had a sign that said: ‘We’re Here to Save’ (if you donated you got a red shirt).

And that is what came to my mind about what those campers said. The people who could give blood were definitely ‘live-savers’ in so many ways. Now tears came to my eyes as I remembered the many who said “thank that donor, they helped save my life.” I heard that so often and I will never forget how many lives were saved because of donor generosity.

Of course, all this culminates in the only ‘One’ who saves us and, not just in this life but for all eternity. Jesus bled and died for us; his blood was shed for us—his blood saves us. Unlike donor blood which has to match the person’s blood or it won’t’ help them, Jesus’ blood is pure and there for any-one-at-any time, period! His blood-bank never dries up and his rescue is sure and perfect.

Like EMS, doctors, nurses who work to help those on the brink of death, Jesus seeks and saves those whose souls are lost and dying in this dark world. In 1 John 1:7 [NLT], we read the power of Jesus’ life-giving blood for us: “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.”

When our medical people seek out the right blood for those in need the most incredible thing happens. First, we see life come back to their ailing bodies—that blood is doing exactly what God meant it to do. Then we get to see a sparkle in their eyes, along with that ‘a-ha moment’ that gives them the comfort and peace they need to not be afraid and not be depressed in their health circumstances.

Like our medical people seeking to help others, so did “the Son of Man come to seek and save those who are lost.” (Luke 19:10 NLT). Jesus truly came to save you and me and others who are lost and trying to find their way in a dark world. His gift of blood is a “love infusion” that keeps us going, that changes our lives and gives us the power to share His love with others. If you are in need of a “blood-infusion” for your heart, soul and mind, call the greatest doctor ever—his name is Jesus and his clinic is always open 24/7! AMEN.