Colossians 1:13-14
God rescued us from dead-end
alleys and dark dungeons. He’s set us up in the kingdom of the Son he
loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of
the sins we were doomed to keep repeating.
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
This afternoon, we took Timothy to see his first movie at a theater...Planes: Fire & Rescue. We had given the children a DVD of the original “Planes” movie
for Christmas. So when this sequel came to our local theater, we
decided it was time to take a certain 5-year-old for a “real” movie
experience! And he loved this animated Disney production.
The
star of the movies is “Dusty Crophopper,” a former crop-dusting plane.
According to the synopsis provided by Disney for http://IMDb.com
...”When world-famous air racer Dusty learns that his engine is damaged
and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into
the world of aerial firefighting. Dusty joins forces with veteran fire
and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his team, a bunch of all-terrain
vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. Together, the fearless team battles a
massive wildfire, and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true
hero.”
There are many twists and turns in this 84-minute feature,
including a scene where Dusty takes on more than he can handle and
crashes into the river rapids...and must be rescued by Blade Ranger. To
say that Dusty finds himself in a pit is an understatement. The mercy
and compassion of his fellow rescue vehicle are called into play more
than once. Let’s just say that while Dusty Crophopper has a good heart
and the best of intentions, he seems to have a penchant for
bravado...and biting off more than he can chew!
Doesn’t this
describe most of us? Aren’t we prone to think we know more than we
really do...or that we can tackle things on our own without the
assistance of others? How many of us jump into situations with both
feet...and consider the ramifications later? More importantly, who
among us really stops to spend time in consultation with God about
countless choices and decisions each day – both those that seem rather
insignificant, and the ones that matter greatly?
Is it any
wonder that we often find ourselves in dead-end alleys, dark dungeons,
and pits of desperation? Isn’t it also a wonder that God continues to
extend HIS grace and mercy – and to rescue us?
Don’t you think it
is time that we learned from some of our mistakes and shortcomings?
Shouldn’t we turn to the One who loves us so much that He has prepared a
whole Kingdom for us? Would you be willing to offer grace, mercy, and
rescue to those in your midst, just as surely as God rescues you? When
will we realize that God has our back...and we really, really need Him?
I’m
sure I don’t have to tell you that all turns out well for Dusty
Crophopper and his “friends”. But our lives are not an animated Disney
movie! All can work out well for us, if we will recognize how Jesus has
paid the price for our sins and shortcomings. It’s time to stop
repeating the same mistakes and acknowledge that we need a hefty dose of
His daily wisdom as much as His grace and mercy. Jesus is the ultimate
“Rescue Hero”...have you made Him yours? Isn’t it time you did?
©2014 Debbie Robus
No comments:
Post a Comment