Blog

Observation

Great news for everyone – the rescuer has arrived. This is great news, “the most joyous news,” if you know you need rescue. I think at some level, at various times in life, we are all confronted with our need for rescue. We all arrive at a place where we are faced with questions we can’t answer, circumstances we can’t walk through, brokenness we can’t heal, and darkness we can’t find light in. We need rescue. Whilst God is the creator, he is not the controller of circumstances, his love gives us freedom and we exercise that freedom in ways that release situations in our lives, or the lives of others, that a rescuer is required. Life is so random, uncontrollable, interconnected and broken that we will all need a rescuer at some stage of our journey.

Good news, a rescuer is available to all. God does not demand we deserve his rescue. He does not demand that we understand his rescue. He does not even demand that we know him personally to receive his rescue. Rescue comes to everyone who calls for rescue. To everyone who arrives at the end of self and calls beyond self to a rescuer to come. Often it is in the most difficult times of life that we discover the greatest beauty of life, our rescuer. This is the beauty of suffering that many who have suffered testify to, myself included.

“The most joyous news the world has ever heard!” What a huge claim. As I walked my park this morning, being present to the presence of God with me, I realised just how true that claim is. When you personally and intimately meet the rescuer of all humanity, it is the most joyous news you have ever heard. I now know where to bring my necessary for life gratitude. I now know where to find direction. I now know where to find love, forgiveness, and mercy. I now know where to find rest and peace. I now know where my strength comes from. I now know my true identity and purpose in life. I now know the greatest news that I have ever heard. I realise I need rescue not just in the dark times of my life, but I need rescue to live life to its fullest. Rescue from my false ego-centric self into my true self made in the image of my rescuer. I need rescue from my failure, rescue from the stories of unloveable, rescue from my brokenness and pain. When you meet the rescuer it really is “the most joyous news the world has ever heard!”

Application

I will not ignore the best news ever, I will walk in the arms of my rescuer, knowing my great need and her intimate presence. I will not try and be my rescuer when one is present who is far better equipped for the task. I will not allow my ego to separate me from my need. I will gladly embrace my need and cry out – “rescue me.”

Response

Thank you that you came to rescue. You came to change the whole way mankind knew and walked with their God. To change the entire way life is lived on this planet. Thank you that you came to show me, God, in a way that I can walk with and commune with. Thank you for all the rescue I have experienced and the rescue that awaits me today and tomorrow. This is a great life knowing I have a rescuer.

Meditation

Meditate – For today in Bethlehem a rescuer was born for you.

Consider:
How often do I do life alone when I need to walk intimately with my rescuer?
What rescues have I experienced that I give deep thanks for?