Search and Rescue

"Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.'" Luke 19:9-10 NIV

While most of the runners in the Midwest were complaining about the lingering heat Saturday morning, 87 runners participating in an ultramarathon had to be rescued from the mountains in Davis City, Utah after a snowstorm hit the area. At about 9:30 a.m., the Davis County Sheriff's Office was notified about an "emergency situation" involving 87 runners. They faced extreme weather, including 12-18 inches of snow and almost white-out conditions, according to a news release. The race was suspended, and the sheriff's office's search and rescue team responded on foot, with ATVs and snowmobiles to help the runners get down the mountain safely. Race organizers worked with the search and rescue volunteers to make sure all registered participants were accounted for, and the rescuers covered the entire course. All the runners were off the mountain by 2:45 p.m. Davis County Sheriff Kelly V. Sparks reminded people that venturing off into the great outdoors this time of year can be dangerous due to swift weather condition changes. "The rapid and collaborative response of our Search and Rescue volunteers, race organizers, and first responders from multiple agencies, resulted in minimal injuries and all runners returning home safely today. I extend my deep gratitude to everyone involved in this rescue effort,"  Sparks added. 

And, you know, when it comes to Search and Rescue missions, the Bible is clear that Jesus was (and still is) in the business of going out to "save the lost”... even at the cost of how doing so might appear to others. Consider Zacchaeus. He was not only a chief tax collector (a despised profession at that time) but a cheater and a traitor. And yet Jesus, who "came to seek and save the lost" loved him immensely. In fact, Christ loved Zacchaeus so much that he rejected the social pressure to avoid people such as this swindler and became a guest at his house; a Seek and Rescue mission that led Zacchaeus to repent and be saved. Is that a great story or what?

But the story doesn't end there my friend, it can't. Jesus is still in the business of performing Search and Rescue missions. But He is doing these missions through obedient people like you and me; people who aren't afraid or ashamed to reach out to the lost (many of them who might be considered dirty or untouchable because of their immoral behaviors or lifestyles) and lead them back to Christ. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving all those the world says are too far gone to love and for using people willing to volunteer for the job of Search and Rescue to do it. Lord, break our hearts for what breaks Your's so we will be compelled to follow the example of Jesus and seek out the lost that they might hear the Good News and be saved. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!