Rescue…Mission

Rescue…Mission

Over the years it has been helpful look up the precise definition of words as to have a better understanding of our language and, hopefully, communicate with others on a much deeper, more meaningful level. Using Merriam-Webster dictionary has always served this purpose quite nicely, so, why change?

Rescue – to free from confinement, danger, or evil : SAVE, DELIVER
Mission – a ministry commissioned by a religious organization to propagate its faith or carry on humanitarian work

The word “mission” has multiple meanings, all of which are closely related but their deeper meaning and, more importantly, their different outcomes makes this word a little more of challenge for most people. There are 5 different descriptions of the fourth definition alone. The word “mission” could be an entire program within the study of the English language.
4a: a ministry commissioned by a religious organization to propagate (see PROPAGATE sense 3b) its faith or carry on humanitarian work
… there was a little port called Quinchang, where the fathers of the mission usually landed from Macao, on their progress to teach the Christian religion to the Chinese …
— Daniel Defoe
b: assignment to or work in a field of missionary enterprise
c(1): a mission establishment
(2): a local church or parish dependent on a larger religious organization for direction or financial support
Spanish missions in California
dmissions plural : organized missionary work
e: a course of sermons and services given to convert the unchurched or quicken Christian faith
a preaching mission

We find ourselves without the group, without the Small Group that had been forming within the Nashville Rescue Mission on Thursday nights after Chapel. A core of approximately 5-6 men, including myself, would gather together to dig into the nights Word. The fellowship is impossible to describe as the melding of the heart, mind and soul between us is only found in God’s warm glow and presence. Being on “mission” at the Rescue Mission gives life purpose. The evil doers fully understand this and is one of the main reasons the volunteer program has been shut down, but gathering together at WalMart is acceptable.

When we help others, especially those that most of society has turned a blind-eye, it does something to a person that only God can explain. It changes everything from head-to-toe. When the Holy Spirit is invited and fills the space, fills the men gathered round there is no denying that lives are being changed, hearts are being softened and souls are turning to Jesus Christ for His mercy and redemption. It can be felt throughout the entire 4-story building.

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me I was in prison and you came to Me.’ ~Matthew 25:34-36 NKJB

Having known the inside of the jail-cell it is rare, if ever, for someone to visit you. It is rare, if ever, for someone to speak with you afterwards. Depending on the situation most people turn away and never look upon your face again. Sometimes this is the best thing that could happen, most of the time it is the worst. When life turns sour and we give in to the devil speaking to our weakness, a life of sin is just ahead…but it doesn’t have to be. Jesus Christ is waiting no matter what we have done. This is why it is our responsibility, as Christians, as followers of Christ, we are to go to them, help them, comfort them and do all we are able to help clear away the debris surrounding our brothers and sisters in Christ.

“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ ~Matthew 25:37-40 NKJB

When we shirk our responsibility and turn our back on our brothers and sisters in Christ we are actually turning our back on God Himself – we, all of us, are made in His image and we wherever we – all of us – wherever we are, He is reflecting through those we encounter.

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: or I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” ~Matthew 25:41-46

Don’t forget…we are on a mission to rescue God’s children. It is our duty, our responsibility and our calling as Christians, followers of Christ, to do exactly that – rescue the lost. What better place to be on a rescue mission than the local rescue mission? It’s a “target-rich-environment”. The harvest is plenty but the workers are few.

Either the Gospel is the divine Word of God teaching us how to live and how to be a reflection of Him, or it’s nothing more than a historical account of events.