Springs Rescue Mission:

"Deep Calls Unto Deep" - a Lent devotional by SRM's Tyler Peoples

"Deep Calls Unto Deep" - a Lent devotional by SRM's Tyler Peoples

Lent is a season of reflection — a time to walk in love and to meditate on how we as Christians can learn new ways to “Love Bigger.” To observe the 40 days of Lent, Springs Rescue Mission is sharing devotionals from local faith and community leaders. The theme of this series is the same as that of our organization: “Love Bigger.” These two words are meant to be a reminder of the endless love of God in our lives, as well as a charge to us as Christians to meditate on how we might reflect that love on our fellow man.

How does God respond to our needs and the needs of our city?

Every hour of every day, there are hundreds of people on the campus at Springs Rescue Mission. Men and women of all different backgrounds, some older and some younger, all make their way to the Mission for one reason. They have problems that they cannot solve on their own. They are in need, and many of them have deep needs beyond the basics of food, clothing and shelter. So many of the people we serve are lonely, lost and feel hopeless after years experiencing addiction, trauma, illness or abandonment.In chapter 84, the Psalmist writes of pilgrims walking through the Valley of Tears. Their needs are so great. They feel faint and thirsty. They cry out, their tears collecting into pools on the ground. They’re part of a group longing for God. God sees their tears and sends down refreshing rain — he is likewise our sun and shield. Every day, men and women in Colorado Springs find themselves walking through low places, crying out and in need of rescue. When the needs of many are so big, God’s love is bigger.

“My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long: “Where is your God?” – Psalm 42:3

In the face of deep need, God responds in deep ways. The slogan of Springs Rescue Mission is “Love Bigger.” It’s amazing how much meaning just two words can contain. The Psalmist writes of “a deer panting for water,” like a soul thirsting for God. It’s an image of anguish and hunger.So many people in our community are just like the deer — panting and restless, their souls disquieted — searching for rescue and restoration. Last year, 3,219 men and women came seeking shelter at Springs Rescue Mission. Our hungry neighbors received 200,000 meals. We see this overwhelming response every day. The challenges are big, but God’s love is bigger.Last year alone, thousands of individuals donated $6.6 million dollars, 550,00 pounds of food and materiel goods, and more than 36,000 hours of volunteer time. This is an overwhelming response to such deep needs. God sees our tears and sends waves of lovingkindness to carry us forward.At some time and in some way, we all are lonely, lost and in need of rescue. We search like pilgrims through the Valley of Tears. We pant and thirst like a deer seeking a brook. God sees our troubles and hears our prayers of need. He knows we face so many problems we cannot solve ourselves.

“Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.” – Psalm 42:7-8

God’s gracious response is to send His lovingkindness through his son Jesus Christ. It’s His overwhelming response to wash away our tears.I pray that everyone who comes to Springs Rescue Mission comes to know that no matter how big their problems might seem, God’s love is always bigger — now and forever.How will you respond to the call to Love Bigger? Learning from the Father and Son, we each can do our part, with whatever we may have, to make a difference in the kingdom. God sees our tears and sends waves of mercy to carry us onward.Tyler Peoples is director of Enterprise and Work at Springs Rescue Mission.Subscribe to our blog to learn more about Springs Rescue Mission and the people we serve — people who have seen tough times but are committed to breaking the cycles of homelessness, hunger and addiction in their lives. We see stories of hope and transformation lived out every day, and we’d love to share them with you.

Visit springsrescuemission.org/gss to learn more.

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