Saturday, December 30, 2006

"Rescue me"

Today I was walking along the sidewalk from my apartment building to the Giant just a half block away (yes, be jealous...unless you don't live in DC and thus don't know what Giant is--it's a grocery store--or how hard it is to lug groceries down the street).

This guy was walking toward me and then turned toward the office building on my right, which seemed strange since the work day was over. When I looked at where he was going (confession: I was really watching him because he was cute), I saw an elderly lady sitting on the driveway, surrounded by grocery bags. He went over to help her up, which was nice (points for cute boy!), and then another man walked over to help as well. But what struck me (besides their kindness and chivalry) was that the sweet old lady was calling out "rescue me!" in a way that only old ladies and children can get away with. Or have the guts to say.

Rescue me. It was so honest and humble and endearing. It was also a demand, as if society owed her a lift. And in a way, we do. We should pick each other up when we fall down, especially if we want someone else to do the same for us someday.

I thought of how I feel "fallen" right now. Stuck. Helpless. Needy. I'm a little old lady in a skirt with my groceries strewn around me on the sidewalk. But usually I just sit there and feel sorry for myself and watch the world go by. Or gather up the milk and unbroken eggs I can reach and try hoisting myself up, only to fall back again and create more spillage and breakage. Or start whimpering and whining, or blaming myself for tripping over my own feet. If only I had worn different shoes, or seen that twig in the road, or hadn't bought so many groceries.

Why can't I simply look up and cry "rescue me!" And not timidly or ashamedly, but boldly. Belt it out, Janel, to a loving heavenly Father Who has bound Himself to you, Who has long ago promised to be there whenever you fall, Whose favorite pasttime is wandering along beside His kids and discovering life with them and picking them up when they go bum. Why would He do any less than a stranger on the street?

Lord, increase my faith. Rescue me.

1 comment:

Steve said...

That is a pretty awesome illustration. I was thinking about it a bunch last night. I completely agree that we need to cry out to God for rescue when life hits hard. And he will answer. But I was also thinking that we need to call out to God at almost every moment of our lives. Even when my life is "going well", I need God to rescue me from myself. I was thinking of the Romans verse below, and that's how I often feel. Thankfully we have the best "rescuer" that ever lived. I do need way more faith to believe he can rescue me.

Also, your reference to God being somewhat of a watchful parent is pretty sweet too. It's really funny that God wants us to have faith like a child. (Go Jars!) When I think about it, a child's first response is often to cry out for help, even when they don't even need it. I guess it's really all they know, being completely dependent on their parents. I think my life would be completely different if I had that attitude of dependence like a child. (Wonder why Jars didn't use that in a song? Just not as catchy I guess)

I think you said it best:
Lord, increase my faith. Rescue me.

Rom 7:23-25 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

(A few related verses, you know, for good luck... cough! ... scriptural proof we're not making this up)
Ps 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

Ps 72:12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.

Ps 25:20 Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

Ps 31:2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.