Our Rescue Story

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:3 - 4

At the very beginning of God’s story, He dwelled in the garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. God’s desire has always been to live with people in a perfect world without sin and death. The plan was interrupted — not ruined — by Adam and Eve’s decision to go their own way. There has been a separation between God the Father and his children ever since.

On a busy Labor Day weekend when my son was four years old, he got lost on the beach. As I first realized he was missing I stayed reasonably calm, thinking for sure he must just be an umbrella or two over. After several minutes of searching the immediate area, I began to panic inside. He was nowhere in sight. Suddenly, lifeguards and other beachgoers were all searching for him. My mind raced with worst-case scenario thoughts that no mother wants to consider. As time ticked on the panic increased — what if we didn’t find him? What if he was lost forever? Just as I began to unravel, the lifeguard gave me the news — they found him many lifeguard stands down the beach. I raced towards him and as soon as he caught a glimpse of me he ran to my arms. “Mommy, I was so scared. I thought I lost you forever,” he cried. “Me too, buddy,” my words barely audible through my tears.

I would have done anything to find my son that day. Fortunately, I didn’t need to resort to anything drastic. The experience was a poignant reminder of the power of a parent’s love for their child.  

You are God’s child, whom He loves. Imagine how He longs to be with you. This is why he created a way to restore His original plan and dwell with me and you forever.  

Today’s verses are a promise for each of us who has chosen to trust Jesus: life everlasting with God himself. The restoration of peace and perfection, free of sin, death, mourning, and pain. On the other side of the heartaches of life here on earth, heaven is waiting. God is waiting to be with his children.  

For so much of my life, I thought of the Christmas story as the miraculous birth of a baby, Jesus. With shepherds, wise men, and a bright, shining star. Now I know that the Christmas story is so much more than that. It is a story of God longing to dwell again with his children, giving up His Son to make a way to restore what was broken. The story of Christmas begins in a garden and ends in heaven. It is a story that includes you and me. It is our rescue story, our gift from God our Father, who knew exactly what we needed.  

Lord, thank you for drawing my heart toward You this Christmas. Help me stay focused on Your truth the whole year through. Amen.