By Lorie Newman

Seven years ago my teenage son passed away. It was tragic and the darkest day of my life. But in the midst of horrible pain, we had a small glimmer of sun by donating his organs. Our terrible loss was another person’s wonderful gain. I wrote the following words just a few days after my son’s funeral. They are as real now as they were then…

By now, I imagine that for the first time in a long time, the person who received my son’s heart, has color in their cheeks, renewed circulation in their feet and hands, and reclaimed hope in their future that they had nearly given up on. Organ donation is a beautiful, sacred gift in the midst of a deep unspeakable grief. For me, it’s also a picture of the gospel.

Jesus died so we could have the gift of salvation. He died in our place. He died so we could have life. Eternal life and full, abundant life here and now. (John 10:10)

Organ donation in all its glorious beauty, means someone had to die to give life to another person.

For the person who received Daniel’s heart, it was NOT enough for them to know a heart was on the way and believe it would heal them. It was NOT enough for them to be on the operating table with doctors surrounding them ready to give them Daniel’s heart. Even to physically see Daniel’s heart, was NOT enough for them. Simply *believing* the new heart would bring the needed healing was NOT enough. They had to *receive* that heart gift, and let it begin to pump and beat inside of them for it to save them. Believing was NOT enough. They had to accept the heart gift. And then their new healing came!

And so it is with Christ.

It is not enough for a person to simply believe Jesus is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for their sins. Why, even the demons believe that! And they shudder! (James 2:19)

To be born-again, you must believe and accept Jesus as Lord of your life. (John 1:12) Only then can new life in Christ begin. And the peace. And the transformation. And the promises. And the new LIFE! Oh, the glory of it all!

The gift of salvation is waiting. Take hold of it! Breathe in new life in Christ by asking Him to wash away the old and usher in the new.

He’s waiting. Peace. Hope. Love. Grace. Crazy, ridiculous grace! It’s all waiting in abundance for you. It’s not enough to just believe it.

RECEIVE it.

Jesus is waiting.

And He’s closer than the air you breathe