It Sure Looked Dead to Me


It sure looked dead to me.  We had offered to feed our son’s bearded dragon while he and his family were away, but when we came in that morning, the lizard was upside down in its cage, its stiff legs outstretched from its final agony.  I sighed, and called in my wife.  She agreed: it was obviously dead, and probably dried out.

I hesitated to call our son.  The children would be heartbroken, and even more, it was our granddaughter’s birthday.  After giving the bad news, I figured I would dig a hole, bury the body, and take the empty cage away so that the children would have no shocking reminder of the tragedy when they returned. 

When I called, I gravely informed my son that I had something to tell him.  Unfortunately, he immediately put on our granddaughter to wish her a happy birthday.  Though my mood was somber, I cheerily wished her well, and heard how she was doing.  Afterward, I asked to talk again with her father.  Surprisingly, our son was not flustered with death report. “He has done this before,” he said smoothly.  “Just flip him over.  Really.  He will be just fine.” 

I was doubtful.  “He sure looks dead to me!”  But I agreed to try, and switched to the speakerphone so he would have immediate feedback.  Taking out the large forceps used to feed the lizard, I gently poked it.  Astonishingly, it moved!  Then, with some difficulty, I flipped the creature over.  It opened its eyes and gave me a vacant stare.  It was torpid, but alive, and the next day was well enough to eat two Superworms.

It was something to reflect upon.  As believers in Christ, we understand that non-believers are spiritually dead1, and are actually unable to see the world as it really is.  They cannot perceive or receive the saving grace of God, but walk according to the course of this world, live for the flesh, and are helplessly trapped in sin.  Unless they turn around, they are bound for a very bad place.  Yet, as tightly as many are held captive, the grace of God saves some.  The important thing about sharing the Gospel is that apparently dead souls can sometimes be quickened by faith.  If they invite Christ into their heart, they receive a new nature, and are raised to walk in new life, that in the ages to come God might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ.

Unless lost people show some small sign of interest, it is easy for Christians to regard their case as hopeless.  But just like that contorted, obviously dead lizard, there may still be hope.  Lost people may just need to be poked, or maybe flipped over.  Sometimes even a pointed question will do the trick.

Though the adventures of Noah’s Boys (book 2 is in progress) are mainly intended to encourage and edify Christians, part of their purpose is to seize the imagination of the lost by presenting biblical truths in a provoking, fresh sort of way.  It is kind of like poking the lizard.

G.M. Horning
1Ephesians 2

Apparently Dead



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