day 14: when you think you’re sent to rescue

As the team loaded up for Guatemala an exciting feeling loomed in the air. We were going to rescue!

We were the #serveguate team from all over the US and Canada and God had called us to reach out and rescue others. There was an empowering edge that waved through those feelings. But it didn’t take God long to help us see we were not the rescuers.

Jesus is the ultimate rescuer.

With our first world thinking and our Starbucks Via coffee in hand we set out to serve Guatemala with the hopes of the ultimate rescue. Oh how we had much to learn.

Our eyes were opened to a different way of life. And our hearts wrestled with the fact that just because others are different, it doesn’t not mean they need our love to survive.

They only need the love of the perfect Rescuer.

Lifeguarding lessons.

I never put the two together, but the truths are there. I can remember sitting in the hot summer air up in that lifeguard stand just looking for someone to rescue. I watched intently. I knew someone would need help.

Then off in the deep end I’d see someone splashing around. I’d look harder and sit up with intent in the stand. Eventually, I’d hop down and get ready for the rescue.

Approaching the victim,  I’d faintly hear through their flailing around — “I’m OK. Really, I’m OK!”

It was a swimmer who just had uncoordinated moves and strokes. Could he swim? Yes. Did it look like how I expected him to swim? No.

When you’re sent to rescue and you get rescued.

It didn’t take our team long to realize that we were there so Jesus could rescue us. The Guatemalan’s while different, from us, were happy. Many knew Jesus, many didn’t. But our hearts were stirred with the fact that we weren’t sent to rescue — we were sent to love with the love of Jesus and serve them as His hands and feet.

Jesus quickly showed us — it wasn’t about Guatemala, it was about us.

We each experienced Him and were rescued in different ways:

Some came with weak to non-existant faith, and Jesus showed up big to strengthen.

Some came seeking Jesus only to find that He is where ever you are — no need for a trip.

Some came to sponsor and save children, only they were the ones loved on through their generosity.

Some came with financial issues and burdens weighing on their heart, only to have Jesus miraculously pay the debts.

Some were overwhelmed and Jesus spoke “you are enough!”

God worked miraculously in Guatemala. Stories will be posted later this week.

QUESTION: Is it hard to not feel like you need to rescue others different from yourself?

This post is part of the 31 days of rescue series. You can find all posts listed here.

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After wrestling with the word rescue for months, I decided to bring this word to life. I’ll expose the truths stirring in my soul regarding this daring, venturesome, and fearless word. Oh how I’d love your input too!