Lent day 28 - rescuers

Over the past couple of weeks I have seen several television programmes or films about lifeboats for some reason.  I can't say that I give the work of the RNLI much thought on a daily basis, but watching a fly on the wall documentary about them the other day left me amazed and full of admiration.  Such brave and selfless individuals.  Quite literally dealing with life and death issues every day.

It must take a special sort of person to volunteer to do a job like that.  I suppose in some ways it is a bit like being a soldier..... when you sign up you know that you stand a fairly good chance of being in physical danger, being wounded or even killed.   Except that lifeboat crew dont get paid and soliders do.   Lifeboat crew all have jobs and do their rescue work in their spare time.  So do mountain rescuers.  And some lifeguards and coastguards.   It never ceases to amaze me that people will sacrifice their time and energy and put themselves in the way of danger in order to help and rescue complete strangers, many of whom have been stupid and selfishly got themselves into trouble.   And what about our amazing fire service?  I think going into the sea and going into a burning building hold equal amounts of dread and terror for me.  Im pretty sure I couldnt do it.  But thousands of brave and selfless people do.

We dont think about our emergency services until an emergency happens and we need them.  Then we expect them to be there for us,  possibly putting themselves in danger on our behalf.  We yell for rescue and it comes .   The butcher and the baker and the dressmaker drop everything and rush to our aid.   And lots of us think about God in the same way.  We don't pay too much attention until something happens and we realise we need some help. And like the lifeboat team,  Jesus, the angels and the Holy Spirit come to our rescue.  They don't have to do that for us, but they do.

One day I am going to have a new body and I really hope that I will also get a new brain and a new memory too.  In heaven I'm going to make sure I keep a look out for all those people who have bravely and selflessly dedicated their lives to risky rescues.  I suspect they might be sitting somewhere up front in seats marked ' Reserved - greater love has no man than this, that he lays down his life for his friends'  right next to Jesus, the author and perfector of the risky rescue :)