RESCUED!

 

• It is well known that I prefer pork chops to raisins.
• I would rather have a cool spring or fall day than a steamy summer day.
• I would enjoy a nice person in my life more than a grumpy or mean person.
• I find a hug more pleasant than a punch in the gut.

I could go on and on, just like you! It is quite natural that there are things in life that we would rather experience than other things. It is not only natural, but it is wise that we recognize some things are worth avoiding and some are worth pursuing. There are many things that will bring us to the right place and another set of things that will not. Would you prefer I give you the correct directions to the place you want to go or would you rather I send you in the wrong direction, so you waste time and energy?
 
The reason I point this out is to lead us to our theme for Sunday’s message – Rescued! The nature of this glorious word is that we are rescued from something… to something else. Our minds naturally think in these terms whenever we hear the word rescue. We immediately picture in our minds situations such as being rescued from being lost to found, from a raging river to dry land, or rescued from the ravages of war to a place of peace. That makes perfect sense, right?
 
In the most important sense, which is the eternal things of God, we have been rescued. We understand this to mean that we have been rescued from sin and death, to purity and life. This is the message of the Good News of Jesus Christ – We are rescued from the power of the Evil One, to the Kingdom of Grace and Truth. I am fairly confident that if you have been hanging around Oak Hill very long you have heard this type of talk quite a bit.
 
But today I want you to think of the places you need to be rescued from that you may not have thought of before such as complacency or selfishness or bitterness. I want you to understand that these are the places in our lives where we will continue to miss out on the gifts of God. It is in these places of our lives we will end up empty or anxious or alone. We will also find that these places tend to overflow and invade other areas of our lives as well. What are they for you? Your Great Rescuer is at the doors waiting to enter and bring you to a new place in God’s Kingdom.
 
I experienced this reality last night with Barb. I came home with all kinds of “burdens” and “stresses” and “problems”. The quotation marks represent an incorrect perspective on my part. I walked in the door and proceeded to remove all the joy and peace from our living room. What a blessing I can be at times – YIKES, it is embarrassing to admit. Barb proceeded to point out that I need to be “rescued” although she didn’t really use that word. I love her so very much!
 
I will keep you from all the details, but she was so correct. She pointed out I needed to be rescued from my negative and overwhelmed perspective, to a perspective of opportunity and balance. I was over-reacting because I was overreaching my abilities and responsibilities. I needed to be rescued from carrying burdens and problems, to trusting in God and being connected to the gifts of others.
 
Jesus tells us, “I came that you might have life – a full and overflowing life.” For us to experience that we are invited, even commanded for our own good, to be open to the Spirit’s leading [sometimes it comes through people like Barb]. Be honest with God. Be open to His truth and find life! Be Rescued!
 
So Good to be Rescued,
 Pastor Nick