2 Jun, 2009
Dangerous Rescue
Thai 'Spider-Man' to the rescue
The child was persuaded off the ledge by his favorite superhero.
An unusual disguise has helped a Bangkok fireman rescue an eight-year-old boy who had climbed on to a third-floor window ledge, Thai police say.
The firefighter dressed up as the comic book superhero Spider-Man in order to coax the boy, who is autistic, from his dangerous perch.
Police said teachers had alerted the fire station after the boy began crying and climbed out of a classroom window.
It was reportedly his first day at the special needs school.
Efforts by the teachers to persuade the pupil to come back inside had failed.
But a remark by his mother about his passion for comic superheroes prompted fireman Somchai Yoosabai to rush back to the station, where he kept a Spider-Man costume in his locker.
The sight of Mr. Somchai dressed as Spider-Man and holding a glass of juice for him, brought a big smile to the boy's face, and he promptly threw himself into the arms of his "superhero", police said.
(To view this story, go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7961208.stm)
Galatians 1:3-5 (NIV
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Proverbs 24:11 (The Message)
Rescue the perishing;
don't hesitate to step in and help.
What does God's Story teach us about dangerous rescues?
The message for the day is simple...we have been rescued...and as a result we need to be on a mission to see others be rescued as well.
In today's story we see a brave firefighter from Thailand who was willing to go to any length to rescue an autistic boy. This boy was scared and confused. He needed a rescuer. The hero, Somchai Yoosabai, was not only willing to put on a crazy outfit to get his attention; he also volunteered to step out on a dangerous ledge in order to reach him.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story and my story?
Scared, confused, alone and dangerously close to certain death...that was you and me before Jesus went out on a dangerous mission in order to rescue us. Praise be to His name.
As a result, we owe him every breath of every day. Our lives now are to be lived in response to His amazing rescue...so that others may be rescued as well. He has called us and sent us out on the same rescue mission. Are we willing to go to dangerous places in order to see others rescued?
How can we connect today's story, God's Story and my story with my friend's story?
For a long time Christians have been known for staying safely in their "holy huddles"...not venturing too far out into the world for fear of becoming like the world. It is true that we are not to be of the world, but we must be in the world if God is going to use us to rescue anyone. Here are a few dangerous places that God may call you to consider:
- Befriending someone who is looked at as an outcast
- Serving down at the local homeless shelter and forming relationships with those who have walked some hard journeys
- Going on a summer missions trip to a far away place
- Volunteering to be a mentor to a fatherless or hurting person who is younger than you
- Joining a city league for whatever sport you play in addition to the church league you play in...so that you can be nearer to those who need THE rescuer
- Sharing the hardest part of your story with a lost friend...now that's a dangerous place to go...but it will be worth it if it helps them trust you with their story.
Again I ask, are we willing to go to dangerous places?
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