To The Rescue

Have you ever cried out for help?  I mean, have you felt the searing need to be rescued from someone or something?  Maybe you were lost, caught in a life or death circumstance; maybe you've needed "rescuing" on something as trivial as a chemistry final or help in your flower beds. No matter how smart, how strong, how wealthy you might be - no matter how many accolades you've received, how many rewards you've won or how well you work a room. . . 

At some time in your life, you'll find yourself in a true place of desperation, depression or oppression - in a pit, where something is taking everything away from who you are, what you have or from who you want to be.  I'm not talking about a trivial kind of need, but rather one where you are so desperate, you can't catch your breath, or can barely see beyond the horrific sights which lie before you.  

Psalm 6:1-4

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing

heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.

My soul also greatly troubled.

But you, O Lord - how long?

Turn, O Lord, deliver my life;

save me for the sake of your steadfast love.

It's a GOOD place to be, needing help and rescue from those outside of yourself.  We need each other, as friends, as strangers, as humans.  Being "needy" makes one vulnerable, which is a most beautiful place to be.  As a Believer, being vulnerable is important because we are called to live in a vulnerable stance; we are called to give our lives away to God and to others.  We're called to humble ourselves, first at Salvation and then continuously, giving our lives to God for HIS glory, HIS plans, HIS purpose, and not our own. 

Just imagine with me, for a moment- 

What happens when it's YOU who's in need of help and rescue?  

What happens when it's your family, in a constant state of need? 

What if the oppression, loss, heartache, physical pain literally won't. ever. stop?

Even when you are living a "good" life or, as the Bible tells us, an "obedient" life, surrendered to the Lord, you'll find yourself there, in need of rescue.  Even when we consistently lay ourselves before Him, asking for HE alone to be glorified - EVEN THEN, heartache, loss, sickness, desperation, depression, death, and oppression of all shapes and sizes will, at some point, show up in your life. God promises it, and I can tell you from experience, it's a lonely, isolating, exhausting place to be. 

How often my breath is taken away, weak in energy and faith, 
My Spirit just a whisper, where there used to be a strong and healthy cry, and so I will continuously say,
"God, I believe; help my unbelief".  

Mark 9:24
Immediately after, the father of the child cried out, 
"I believe! Help my unbelief!"

Think back with me now, to the most desperate time in your own life, when YOU were the most vulnerable and the most in need, as in flat- on-your-face, crying out, with moans too deep for words, sick-at your-stomach, kind of need. Remember, for a moment, those feelings, those thoughts, that agony you likely felt, the desperation in your heart and soul. . . 

Now, think of a time when someone swept in and rescued YOU, comforted you or provided, even in at your most needy state; your very lowest point.  How did it feel, knowing someone cared enough to notice where you might be emotionally, or cared enough to hear your cries of brokenness? Someone saw the horridity of the heartbreak and mess you were in, yet dove into the flames to rescue you, with no thought of themselves! 

It happened - you were saved! 

It wasn't Wonder Woman or Superman who've come to your rescue, but a regular human being.  Maybe your Rescuer was  spurred-on by the Holy Spirit.  Maybe "life-saving" is physically in their job description. Maybe they just have a heart for others.  Bottom line - SOMEONE came to your rescue.  SOMEONE stepped up and helped.  SOMEONE decided to give to you, to love you, even in the darkest of times.  

Right at this moment, there is someone in a dire situation; 

They need YOU to rescue them.  

There's a call on your life to be a, "Rescuer", a helper, someone who brings life back to another human being.  

It's YOU, Friend. 

You are the One - the one to step up and step in; the one to bring life with encouraging words, a purposeful gift, a listening ear; 
the one to bless financially, 
The one to offer physical labor or sacrifice.  

IT IS YOU. 

Your giftings, your background, 
your current position or place, 
have prepared you to RESCUE, 
at this very moment in time. 

Don't hesitate.  Don't miss out on an opportunity to feel the freedom which comes from recklessly giving of yourself.  Don't miss out on something you were created to do.  Don't let fear, distance, or awkwardness, stop you.  Just jump in.  You may bring light to someone's deep darkness.  You could be freeing someone from ruin.  Be a vessel for something good. 

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Thank you for your continued prayers for our family!  There are so many things coming up, including Lucy's 8th birthday, Conner's 16th birthday and the NKH International Conference and fundraiser, located in Boston, MA.  In the coming days, I hope to update on all of these things and more.

Right now, we covet your prayers for our Nurse E, from Cameroon, Africa.  Their country is at war and violence is very common, especially for those who have family in the United States.  Nurse E's sister was kidnapped a few days ago, and although they've recieved a ransom request, the details have still not been worked out.  

Also, a precious family prepares to say their, "earthly" goodbyes to the daughter, wife, mother, friend, sister, and (recent) grandmother. This family has been hit with cancer THREE TIMES; they've all lived through the first two fights and now, C's fight has become overwhelmingly strong.  Her physical presence with her family will soon be at an end.  Pray for PEACE and COMFORT. 

Jesus, we take so much for granted.  The world is hurting.  Our people, our friends, hurt even now.  You continually equip us to RESCUE the people you place in our paths!  There is NO hope without you, Lord.  May my life bring your HOPE to those around me.  All belongs to you; nothing belongs to me. 


Ryan

    

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glish Standard Version
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

King James Bible
Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.
Darby Bible Translation
Return, Jehovah, free my soul; save me for thy loving-kindness' sake.
World English Bible
Return, Yahweh. Deliver my soul, and save me for your loving kindness' sake.
Young's Literal Translation
Turn back, O Jehovah, draw out my soul, Save me for Thy kindness' sake.