LightGrams
March 5, 2026
Volume 30, Number 9
Skiing can be an exhilarating sport, and that’s no doubt what Roula De Miranda-Arce expected last week when she, her twin sister, and a friend traveled to Big Bear Mountain Ski Resort in California. Her skis were not yet on the ground when she had the greatest adrenaline rush of her life. As she adjusted her position on the chair lift, she slipped and would have fallen far to the ground had it not been for her sister and friend.
A video taken by a fellow skier shows Roula dangling from the ski lift; her sister and friend had caught the 21-year-old as she was slipping and literally held on for dear life. Roula said afterward that “my body was in so much pain”, and she felt certain she would die if they lost their grip on her. But they didn’t lose their grip, and after what must have seemed like an eternity, her feet were on the ground. She did not suffer any serious injuries.
“I love my sister and my friend,” Roula said. “I’m so thankful they saved me.” I have been on chair lifts a few times in my life and I have often feared what would happen if I had fallen out. Would someone have been able to hang on to me to save me?
Skiing is not mentioned in Scripture, but compassionate rescues are. Galatians 6:1,2 is an example: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” The “trespass” Paul mentioned is a sin, anything that lies outside of God’s boundaries. If one remains caught up in that sin, they will suffer an eternally fatal fall. It’s important that there be people ready to rush to the side of such an endangered person.
Jude 1:22,23 also speaks of the need for compassionate rescues: “And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” Someone is slipping back into their old sinful life. We can’t stand back and watch them fall to their death; not if we have the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5).
Such a compassionate heart is nurtured in Christian assemblies. Hebrews 10:24 urges Christ’s followers to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.” In the next verse we’re told to not forsake “the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some” (Hebrews 10:25).
When we come together as God’s family, we are more apt to spot a sister or a brother who is slipping. And when we see them slipping out of their place, we must do what Roula’s sister and friend did – reach out and hold on to them for dear life!
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2026, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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