Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
- Gal 1:4-5
Dear Friends,
A long time ago, when I was young (!), I went on holiday with my auntie and uncle. One day we went on a walk along the beach and found ourselves cut off by the tide. My uncle was a resourceful man so he told us we needed to climb the cliffs to get to the path that ran along the top. Half way up the climb I froze. The drop seemed horrendous and I was in such a state that I couldn’t move either up or down. I clung to the cliff for what felt like an eternity unable to move. After what felt like an age my uncle saw I was in a spot of bother so he made his way back down the cliff, grabbed my by the belt and dragged me up the cliff. It felt like he rescued me from a difficult predicament.
I’m telling this story because on our news recently we have seen many pictures of people and animals that are in need of rescue in Australia. The fires are burning, homes and habitats are being destroyed and there are people who are risking their lives to help others get to safety. The situation in Australia is awful and those individuals and animals who find themselves caught up in the fires have no way out other than being rescued by the fire crews and volunteers who risk everything for others.
The above bible verse tells of what God has done for humanity. He has been on a rescue mission to save the world. The bible tells us repeatedly that our own selfishness and greed has separated us from what we all need and have been created for, that is a relationship with God but God, because of his love for the world has come and rescued us. We may think we don’t need rescuing or that its only for religious people but deep down I think we all know that something is not quite right with the world.
Bono the singer in U2 sang ‘I still haven’t found what I’m looking for’. Each one of us is searching for fulfilment but what we actually need is rescuing.
I pray this year you may discover the one who loves you beyond measure and is able to rescue you and set you free.
Every Blessing,
Geoff.
