I work in a military museum so “search and rescue” is not entirely a foreign concept to me. We have an exhibit called “Star Catchers,” which showcases Airmen who were responsible for capturing satellites falling to earth. A search and rescue of capsules containing cameras and film…and a race against time and sinking, as the capsule hit the massive ocean.
Of course, there are also countless stories of Airmen searching for and rescuing other military members…in the jungles of Southeast Asia or the deserts of the Middle East. Stories of POWs, downed aircraft, and special operations…all centered around the concept of search and rescue.
There are plenty of times that I wonder if God feels like He’s continuously on a “search and rescue” mission. He literally searches the Earth for His children who don’t know the Savior as their lifeline. He searches and then offers them the rope for rescue. He offers the solution to perilous situations. He offers the ultimate rescue.
Many accept God’s gift of His Son for our sins as their personal rescue. Yet there are others who refuse that gift.
Can you imagine the downed pilot who tells the rescue team, “No, no, I don’t need your assistance; I’ve got this under control”?
Can you envision the National Security impacts of a capsule with film sinking to the bottom of the ocean?
Can you even fathom the victim of the road side bomb refusing assistance from the first responders?
As sinful humans, our souls send out a distress signal that can only be answered by God. When presented the Gospel, are we grasping the life-line? Or are we refusing? God leaves the choice up to each one of us. Accept or reject God by accepting or rejecting the gift of salvation. There are eternal consequences for either choice.
Those who need rescue in an emergency situation do not refuse assistance. This next week, ask yourself if you’ve accepted the rescue of God. I encourage you to take time in the next couple of days to pray for those who may be struggling with this decision…do they want to accept or reject their personal “Search and Rescue”?
~Emily
“To open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sin and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in me.” ~Acts 26:18
Iron Porch 