My Rescue Story...

The worst part about the darkness within people who are not saved is they really cannot fathom the dangers they are in. 

They hurt like believers in Christ do, they go through the same ups and downs as well.  So what's the difference?  The difference is they are most definitely not alone in their sufferings or even in their joy.  They have someone who always intercedes for them.  They have at their request an ever present one to help. 

My rescue story...what it took for the light of Christ to shine in such a way that I agreed with Him that I needed Him to save me...isn't that profound.  It's just about a kid who realizes that God was right and I was wrong.  That I had sin in my life and I needed rescued.  I can tell you the sun was shining bright that morning after the Church service when I met with some elders that wanted to make sure that I understood what it was that I wanted.

To be with Jesus is what I long for.  What I am going to say is going to sound odd.  Hugs we get from caring people are just a foretaste of what's to come with Jesus. My fondest desire is to be held by Jesus. 

I am not saying that life has been all fun and games.  Or that it hasn't been without heartache or heartbreak. Look at the lives of people in the Bible.  Theirs wasn't all peace and prosperity.  There's really no such thing for those who are in Christ. 

Jesus said so.  It's a life lived by ordinary people living an extraordinary life because of Christ.  Scripture says we are His workmanship.  It says He is the potter and we are the clay.  It says that in this world we would have tribulations and trials.  

But most importantly we as Christians would not face them alone. 

Zach Williams has a song called "My Rescue Story" here's the lyrics:

"Rescue Story"

There I was empty-handed
Crying out from the pit of my despair
There You were in the shadows
Holding out Your hand You met me there

And now where would I be without You?
Where would I be, Jesus?

You were the voice in the desert
Calling me out in the dead of night
Fighting my battles for me
You are my rescue story
Lifted me up from the ashes
Carried my soul from death to life
Bringing me from glory to glory
You are my rescue story

You are, You are
You are my rescue story
You are, You are

You were writing the pages
Before I had a name
Before I needed grace, oh
Singing songs of redemption
'Cause every time I ran away
You were louder than my shame

And now where would I be without You?
Where would I be, Jesus?

You were the voice in the desert
Calling me out in the dead of night
Fighting my battles for me
You are my rescue story
Lifted me up from the ashes
Carried my soul from death to life
Bringing me from glory to glory
You are my rescue story

You never gave up on me
You never gave up on me
You are my testimony, ooh...
You never gave up on me
You never gave up on me
You are my testimony, ooh...
You never gave up on me
Oh, You never gave up on me
Oh, this is my testimony

Oh, You were the voice in the desert
Calling me out in the dead of night
Fighting my battles for me
You are my rescue story
Lifted me up from the ashes
Carried my soul from death to life
Bringing me from glory to glory
'Cause You are my rescue story

You are, You are (You are my rescue story)
Oh, You never gave up on me, never gave up on me
You are, You are
Yeah, You are my rescue story

There are indeed some days that are harder than others.  There's choices that I have made that I would never make again.  There's one that I would never take back because He has never given up on me.  

There's been more than a few very dark times in my life.  They weren't pretty by any stretch of the imagination.  I know that I have given Jesus every reason to give up on me.  But you see that's not how coming to Christ works.  You are adopted into the family of God.  An irrevocable decision. Neither party can break that covenant.  It's permanent and I thank God that it is.

I would be lying if I said that I didn't face struggles in life.  I face them every day.  Dozens of times a day.  But I have a promise that is kept every day.  That Jesus would be with me. I don't walk into work without Him.  I ask Him to come in with me every time.  Regardless of who writes my paycheck I work for my Lord.  That's written in blood in my heart. 

So what's so appealing about a life in Christ if I face the same stuff as you?

My friend, I cannot put into words what depths of relief, of peace, that I can tap into in a moment's notice by way of prayer.  Who would you go to in your troubles?  Round and round in your own mind?  That's called worry.  It's never good for you.  

In our day and age we can practically get ahold of anyone in seconds.  But what if what's bothering you is deeply personal? 

What if the hurt is so deep and broad that you can't even cry?  My friend, I have been there.  I have been in such anguish that I actually prayed that I wouldn't have a next breath. I hurt that bad inside.  So what happened?  Jesus happened.  He came and sat with me.  He stayed with me while I was going through what I was.  I read a thing online "Sometimes God calms the storm. Sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child."

It does take faith. Faith is believing in what you don't see. The eyes of faith however will show you many things.  All you need to do my friend is come and ask to be rescued.  To be saved.  The thief on the cross...all he had was belief.  All he had was faith so small.  He had nothing good to his name.  He was being put to death because of his life choices.  He didn't go to a Bible school, didn't have any opportunities to serve others.  But you know what?  I have yet to hear a sermon that didn't encompass the Great Commission better.  What's that you ask?

To go to all the world, making disciples, baptizing them in name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  To tell others about believing in Jesus. That thief has told his story to countless trillions who have read it in the last 2,000 plus years. Believe and ask Him, then Jesus saves you. Jesus said it's simple enough for a child to understand it.

Start your rescue story today, if you haven't yet.  Tired of trying to make life work for you?  Come to Christ and see what He can do with you.  I have more regrets than I can count in life, coming to Christ absolutely isn't one of them.