I have a secret.
When I was little I wanted to be Indiana Jones. Which is odd because I was also in love with Indiana Jones. I’m sure there’s some psychoanalysis work that needs to be done there. Anyway, I did not want to be the damsel in distress. I wanted to be the gun-toting, whip-snapping hero who saves the day.
I didn’t want to be rescued. I wanted to be the rescuer.
Needing rescue is weak. Providing rescue is strong.
And the seasons changed, and the years went by, the celebrity crushes came and went. But one thing remained the same. I don’t want to need a rescuer.
I think that’s a primary barrier for a lot of people when confronted with the gospel. The gospel is such good news for those who admit their helplessness. But for those who, with all their might, are pulling themselves up by the bootstraps, it means conceding weakness. It means needing rescue. And that is not an easy thing to admit.
This year our NCBC Kids summer camps are centered on the theme of “Rescue——dive into God’s Rescue Plan!” and our children will be taught about their need for a rescuer. They will examine the parallels between the story of the Exodus and the story of the Gospel. They will see how the sacrifice of a perfect, spotless, lamb brings rescue from our enemy Death.
It is a remarkable picture of Jesus. But sometimes we can miss the beauty of the gospel if we’re working so hard to show the world we’re in control. The master of my fate. The captain of my soul.
Such pretending to be invincible is a temporary illusion. At some point in our lives we all must face an unbeatable enemy. Death. It’s looming and like it or not, we are all 100 percent desperately in need of rescue from that situation. If we repent of self-sufficiency and believe the gospel, instead of despair we find joy and healing and hope.
“If death is not a problem, Jesus won’t be much of a solution. The more deeply we feel death’s sting, the more consciously we will feel the gospel’s healing power. The more carefully we number our days, the more joyfully we’ll hear that death’s days are numbered too (Remember Death. Matthew McCullough. 52).
Please join me in praying for everyone involved in summer camp. I pray that everyone will admit their need for Jesus. From the Leaders to the youngest campers: may hearts be softened to such an extent that the good news of God’s rescue plan will change lives and destinies for eternity.
“But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again” (Exodus 14:13).
P.S. Here’s a few blast from the past NCBC Camp Photos of our family in the early days! (Circa 2003-2015)
