Rescue Story - a 3-Day Devotional in Partnership With Ted Barrett and Zach WilliamsSample

# Rescue Story – Day 2 You were writing the pages Before I had a name Before I needed grace Singing songs of redemption Every time I ran away You were louder than my shame As the Apostle Paul looked back on his past, his upbringing, his education, his heritage, his nationality and more in Acts 22, all of these things led him to be the perfect person for Jesus to use to advance the Gospel.  So what about you?  Have you ever reflected on your life?  Think back to your earliest memory and trace your steps up to now.  Can you see how God was preparing you before you even realized it?  Can you see how God was pursuing you, how He was writing your story even before you were conceived? One of my earliest memories was when I was five years old, camping with my family.  My older brothers and I were in a small boat on a lake.  For some reason I decided to jump in even though I didn't know how to swim (I never said I was a smart kid). I have a vivid memory of being underwater, not knowing what to do next, and if left there much longer, I would surely drown.   I looked up and through the water. I could see the sun; then suddenly I saw my mom reaching down and felt her pull me out and take me safely to shore.  I never even realized the danger I was in and how close I came to death.  My mom literally saved my life that day. Spiritually, I was dead, but when I was eight years old, my uncle shared the Gospel with me, showed me that my sin had caused a separation from God and I needed Jesus to restore my relationship with Him.  I prayed with Him and on that day God began a work in me that He is still in the process of forty-five years later.  Everything I have gone through, all my joys, successes, and wins, along with all my heartaches, failures and losses, have shaped me into what I am today - a vessel to do the work of my Father.  All while Jesus is leading me, though at times I am a lousy follower, my Master is patient.  He has never given up on me and He never will.  Jesus is my testimony! How was God preparing you and pursuing you throughout your life? Remember, God is patient, and your rescue story continues to be written every day.