January 30, 2011

Called Out of Darkness

1 Peter 2:1-12

You may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:9

— 

Three-year-old Leona was wading in a pond when she was suddenly sucked into a drain once plugged with debris. Fortunately for Leona, her father knew the drain flowed into a nearby river. He and his wife, along with a few passersby, ran to the outlet 150 feet away. Leona says she tried to save herself by doing the “star float,” but that’s hard to do when you are twisting through a dark, narrow pipe with water surging all around. She finally appeared, sputtering and crying, in the swollen river. Her father was able to grasp her and, with the others, help her to safety.

The apostle Peter calls us to “grow up in [our] salvation”— to make peace with our rescue. We were unable to save ourselves from certain death. But Someone mindful of our situation was there to snatch us from being totally swept away. We cling to the “living stone” just as others who once tumbled in the current have done. We remember the power of mercy. We are repulsed by any power trying to keep us submerged. We adore the light.

After her ordeal Leona wanted ice-cream and chocolate. No doubt she’ll be treated like a princess for some time.

Because of our salvation, we are princes and princesses of the King forever!

It was your strong arms that saved us, Lord Jesus. It was your feet sunk deep in death that kept us from being swept away. Keep our eyes peeled for people who need your saving love and grace. Amen.

About the author — Norm Prenger

Rev. Norm Prenger is a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary. He pastored churches in Alberta and British Columbia before he was disabled by a heart attack and a post-operative stroke. He now lives with his wife, Gwen, near Thunder Bay, Ontario. He enjoys fishing, writing, drumming, and encouraging his fishing partners and neighbors to follow Jesus.

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