April 9, 2025

3 days ago, a 2-year-old boy wearing only a diaper somehow slipped out of his family’s home near Jackson, MI. He was last seen at 8:45p. Compounding a parent’s nightmare was the fact that the temperature outside was near freezing and the family lived near I-94. The police were called and they kicked into high gear. One of the Michigan State Police helicopters, equipped with a heat-seeking camera located the boy around 11:30p that evening curled up in a fetal position in a ditch, right next to the busy freeway. Officers on the ground rushed to the spot. Then came the words everyone was hoping and praying for. “We got him.” He was cold, but alive and alert. Wow! Praise God!! This could have ended so tragically.

Everyday, police officers put on the uniform and begin their shifts not knowing what awaits them. Threats, taunts, danger, or the cumulative weight and grief of seeing the underbelly of humanity can facilitate many to descend into dark places. It is not easy to see what humans are capable of doing to one another. But to be part of a rescue like this? I get choked up just thinking about what happened. Can you imagine rushing to the spot and finding this little guy and realizing that he is alive and that he is going to be ok? Actually, you can.

We are equipped with the Holy Spirit, who is like a heat-seeking sensor, directing us to lost and needy people. When you ask God to give you the eyes to see and a heart to care for them, you will see them near you and care for them. God will direct you to them and when they are captured by the gospel and come to faith in Christ, we can join with the angels shouting, “We got him/her.”

For reasons known only to God, we’ve had an unusual number of visitors coming to church in recent weeks. Some are here because of an invite, but many just saw the church, looked it up and felt like they were being drawn here. The opportunities for us are so ripe. Here are hungry people, looking and longing for truth, hope and help. And they have made the effort to come to a place where in most cases, they do not know anyone. Would you start praying today about the part you may be able to play in their rescue? Yes, there are all sorts of people in your world you can encounter and talk with about Christ and even invite to church, but there are many who are already here and will likely be here this Sunday. So, would you start praying today about the part you may be able to play in their rescue? Pray that they will hear the gospel with their hearts. Pray that God will direct you to them, so that you can greet them and care for them.

If the number of people who came to Christ this past Sunday was in direct response to your prayers, would anyone be saved? “Oh God, help me see, help me love, help me to point them to Christ.”

Grace and peace,

Bob

Sunday’s text: Luke 11:24-26