In the fall of 1997 there was an intriguing rescue effort, which was captured by both video and photography. It showed a car sliding into a swollen creek, with horrified onlookers present. The driver’s face was visibly seen. The following summary of the events of that moment recounts the frustration of the audience, and the terror of the driver.
The story has already started by the time the camera involves itself. A woman driver has somehow veered into a swollen creek. This creek, a place where normal activities of life occur daily, became a ravine of rage as the calamity unfolded. This normally scenic spot had turned into an emergency location.
It is curious how we perceive emergencies as only those problems happening elsewhere. Yet, crisis emerge during habitual routines, family outings, employment duties, making everyday life a possible trauma. At that point, seeming menial tasks make way for extraordinary moments, and what you were looking at is now looking at you.
The frame in this picture spanned to include those spectators who were trying to balance themselves and stabilize the car. Their faces are frozen in horror when they realized their joint effort failed. As they lose their grip they lose their hope of a happy ending, for they see the car yield to the current of the water.
Though our helping nature is grieved by our lack of success in these matters, it is important to remember that we are not the ultimate rescuer anyway. We can warn, aid, and assist in any way possible, but that is not the same as being the rescuer. We find that distinction elsewhere.
Important in this visual picture is the zoom lens which picks up the frantic features on the face of this driver. With the nose of the car propelled above the water’s roar, only the driver’s area is visible to sight. As the car bounces along, it is the singular vision of this face that becomes a magnet of attention.
In a rescue operation, it is helpful to see the face of the victim. That is the way determination is made of serious injury. It is additionally a calm to the person in peril, for they realize someone sees them. On the big screen of life, we can find comfort in knowing that our true rescuer does see us and knows the terror we feel; there are no obstacles in the lens.
Seconds run into eternity after the driver realizes the onlookers have lost their hold. The stunned people evidently believe the driver is lost to the rushing of this river. Suddenly, the picture changes drastically when the car plows into a tree in its path. The tree, in effect, turns the car right side up, and driver has new found hope because of a well-placed tree. The branches of this tree provided an embrace, while its trunk gave the much needed steadiness. Who would have thought that a collision with nature could turn this story around. God did.
This collision is a great reminder of the cross of Jesus Christ, the wooden extension of God’s mercy, placed center stage for our rescue. Placed along the road of life, it is often accompanied by pain at its initial introduction in one’s circumstance. Coming into contact with the cross can mean a blunt interruption in our plans. The cross stakes its claim into our souls and brings us to the crossroads of decision. The wise person will behold it as that which puts lives in order, bringing peace to turbulent waters (“….He leadeth me beside still waters.” – Psalm 23: 2b KJV).
What appears to be a stoic object is really arms of deliverance.
Now that the car is above the waters, the driver has access to exit the door. With the car steadied on its new landing, enough time has elapsed for the driver to unlatch the door and swim to safety. (This recollection came by way of print, for the video did not reveal the ending). The cross of Jesus Christ is the balance we need to make an eternal determination – Every obstacle was out of the way: Jesus forgave our sin, healed our minds, and strengthened our weakness. This was accomplished on the cross, and paved the way so we could choose to exit death’s clutches. The work of the cross is history: action in its shadow takes you into eternity. The tree has been provided. Will you take this window of hope and run to God’s arms of safety? Remember, Jesus Christ is one of those onlookers. The only difference here is that He is the helper needed; He sees you, loves you, and can reach you, if you see what His cross has done on your behalf. Jesus has the added distinction of being the only One who tamed the waters of death.
Are you on a collision course with eternity? Will it invade your normal routine? Yes, but God put a tree in your way. “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness.” – 1 Peter 2: 24a – KJV