The nights in Poland are getting down to thirty-one below zero this week, too cold for “man or beast.” However, for one beast the cold was only one of his worries. His misfortunate voyage started when he found himself stranded on an ice flow that carried him over one hundred miles along the Vistula River and out into the Baltic Sea. His story would have ended in tragedy except for the watchful eye of a sailor on a ship called the “Baltic.” At first the crew thought the shape on the ice may have been a seal, but with decided to determine who or what was trying to keep it balance to stay out of the frigid waters.  Ship engineer Adam Buczynski managed to scoop the dog off the floe onto an inflatable dinghyand wrapped him in a blanket."He didn't even squeal. There was just fear in his big eyes," said Buczynski. It seems that the dog had not gone unnoticed in the beginning of his ordeal. Firefighters attempted to rescue him, but were unable and had to watch him float away to his presumable death. "We were in the right place at the right time," said Joachim, noting that they rescued him shortly before night fall. The crew is now trying to locate the dog's owner.
Many of us have felt the fear and hopelessness this poor canine experienced on the cold ice; perhaps not in a literal way, but in an emotional and spiritual context. When our life becomes out of control and we find ourselves attempting to make our own way, the only result is that things get even more fouled up. There is no way we can save ourselves from this mess we make of our life. Satan has tempted us and we have taken the bait and now we are “floating down stream to our death” while he glibly smiles and congratulates himself on one more presumed victory. We can cry, but our tears seem to only freeze to our cheeks. We can call for help; and there comes the turning point from certain death to rescue by strong hands. Jesus reaches into the cold darkness and “scoops” us up. He wraps us tightly in His loving arms and assures us He will never let go. This is a journey many have taken and some are on this very hour. Spiritually floating away in sin to their deserved eternal death – Jesus reaching out with scarred hands to rescue. Where are you on this journey today?