Album: Desperation
Year: 200e
Title: Rescue
There is nothing more captivating than news of a rescue.
As Northern California was swathed in sheets of rain this week, I heard a news story come over the radio, through the swish-swipe of wipers on the windshield.
Earlier this week on Monday, US authorities gave the green light to Haitian orphans to legally enter the country and receive care in the wake of Haiti’s 7.0-magnitude quake.
The flight out was almost canceled. Not all the children had their adoptions approved, and some would have to be left behind.
According to an AFP’s news article, the American sisters, Ali and Jamie McMuturie, campaigned to have the US government relax adoption rules for the orphans’ quick exit. They responded by saying, “unless everybody goes, all 54 kids, nobody’s going.”
The Great Rescue Plan
This sentiment reflects how I once saw my adoption into God’s family. God loved the world so much that I was fortunately included in The Great Rescue Plan (aka “salvation”). Yes, I was adopted into the God’s family, but I felt it was more like a blanket contract that Jesus had signed with His life giving red ink.
God must have chuckled at my small faith. It was small because I didn’t know exactly how much Father God loved me. I simply had no idea.
I only recently began to understand I was just like Emma.
Two-year-old Emma had fallen asleep on the bus headed to the airport and missed the flight. When the group of orphans in Haiti boarded their plane and took off, it was discovered that this one little girl had been left behind.
Emma eventually made her flight to the US — after being found later in Haiti.
A Personal Love and Rescue
This wonderful story of rescue touched my heart. The radio news update was brief, but God had left a message in it for me.
No matter how limited our understanding is of the Father’s love for us, He will never fail to rescue us.
Just like Emma was found among the numerous in Haiti, we are never a faceless person among the crowd to God.
I am coming to understand, my experience of God’s personal touch in my life is activated by my faith – to trust and accept His favor, even if it’s unmerited. To swim and embrace grace boldly. When I do this, I can smile confidently follow Him.
In response to many comments you posted this week to No Peace in Fortune Cookies and Looking For My Real Father, I am closing out the week with a Worship Smoothie — from Christian worship recording artist, Desperation Band.
The song is Rescue.
May it launch you into a wonderful weekend.
No matter what we may be facing, we are always safe because we have One who will come to our rescue.
Let us follow Him today with confidence, knowing His grace is here to capture us. We will never be left behind.
How do you like your Smoothie today?
What’s your story of rescue?
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Lyrics to Rescue - By Desperation Band
You are the source of life,
And I can't be left behind.
No one else will do,
And I will take hold of You.
I need You Jesus,
To come to my rescue.
Where else can I go?
There's no other name by
Which I am saved.
Capture me with grace,
I will follow You.
This world has nothing for me,
I will follow You.
This world has nothing for me,
I will follow You.
22 Comments
Oh I love how you word it “may it launch you into a wonderful weekend”
What a refreshing story and such a comforting reminder that no-one is ever left behind by Our Father. He is the Shepherd who will search, chase down and never give up on any lost sheep…..no matter how stubborn, disobedient and foolish they are. (oh, I would be *that* sheep, btw)
Thanks for this awesome post……it is a great way for me to start my Friday/weekend, Bonnie!
Baa, baa! So true. How awesome to experience in our hearts what we know in our heads!
I was praying last night, just a small item, nothing big or life-changing. And in a way I felt bad for praying for such a small grace when so many others are crying out for mercy. But I am glad I am not just a faceless number in a crowd to God– and that His love and mercy are so huge that He can reach out with love to the people of Haiti and still get our electricity turned back on in the middle of the night so I can sleep better.
I’m glad He rescues us.
I agree – it’s those little only-from-me answers to prayers that amaze me – that He loves me. Happy Friday, Erin – enjoy your electricity!
And how amazing to think He would have executed His rescue plan even if the only one saved was you, or me.
It will take the rest of our natural lives to undersatnd that BIG a love.
That thought takes my breath away!
I hadn’t heard this story of Emma. Thanks for sharing yours and hers.
You’re welcome!
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Makes me think of the parables Jesus told where the lady searched desperately for her lost coin, the man for his lost sheep, and the father for his son. I’ve been thinking lately…if my heart is supposed to search after the things God’s heart searches after, shouldn’t I be more desperate to tell others about Him. He longs for people…I kinda hope they show up on Sunday… Anyway, thanks for the thought provoking post!
Matt, sounds like Jesus is stirring your heart for a love of people – in His parables and in your spirit. Appreciate your sharing.
There was a story in our Washington Post this morning about a local family who had been caught up in the red tape of adopting a Haitian baby (she’s now 2) and suddenly everything came to pass at once and the child is now in the U.S. The family had to go buy a new vehicle to accommodate a third car seat.
“. . . we will never perish / unless He / does.” ~ St. Teresa of Avila (in Love Poems from God)
Amazing stories of rescue! .. Enjoyed the St. Teresa of Avila quote.
I love this song and appreciate that God speaks in surprising ways. 🙂 Thanks, Bonnie!
I know. This song is SO good!
He didn’t leave me behind and He has a plan for me! My story of rescue is that all the junk that has happened to me God is using for good. I now know why I have experienced some of the things I have in my life. I love this rescue story about the little girl. I feel like that little girl…I was late… but He came for me too.
Thanks for this post!
Jackie
Amen! Praise God it is NEVER too late. No matter what anyone says.
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My rescue story…. It’s of a loving Father who came after a deeply hurt woman who wanted Him so much, but didn’t know how to find Him. One who didn’t believe in Him or His Word – one who mocked Him. He showed me Himself and gave me a love for Him and His Word that is nothing short of a miracle!
Oh, He is my Great Rescuer!
Wow. Do you have a testimony to share? Post a link here , if you’ve written about it, Kristy!
Oh Bonnie, I LOVED this post! Your words of sweet Emma and how her story relates to us and our God truly touched my heart. It immediately reminded me of another rescue. Have you seen the video of the 7 year old boy with the “mile-wide smile” who was saved in Haiti?
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2010/01/21/moos.mile.wide.smile.cnn?hpt=C2
It absolutely brought tears to my eyes. What a sweet, sweet child. But you know the thing that touched me the most? The commentator said that when the rescuers finally got to him after being trapped for 7 1/2 days, at first he was scared and wouldn’t come out. Aren’t we like that sometimes??? By the grace of God and Jesus’ amazing sacrifice, we are all saved, but so often we are afraid to truly believe it and come out of whatever is burying/trapping us in our lives and feel free. Just as Emma and the little boy were saved, may I/we open our hearts and minds and “follow Him today with confidence, knowing His grace is here to capture us”.
I hadn’t seen this clip. Thank you for sharing and adding to the post.