The Scarlet Cord

The story of Rahab helping the Israelites conquer Jericho is well known to most of us.  The most fascinating part of that story, to me, is where she tied the “scarlet cord” to her window sill to identify and preserve the lives of her family (Joshua 2:21).  Evidenced throughout the Bible and the history of humankind is the scarlet cord of divine redemption.

The sequel of Rahab’s bold act at Jericho is just as intriguing.  She married an Israelite and was included in the lineage of the Messiah, along with another Gentile, Ruth.  Throughout time, God has schemed to bring fallen, broken, and lost people to Himself.  At the center of this drama is Christ, whose very blood is the means of reconciliation with God.  It is wonderful to see, even in the Old Testament, before the “Good News” made it known, that His redemption is for all, that God was at work extending this saving line of salvation to “whosoever will.”

Recently, while preaching and interacting with our Merrillville (IN) church, I witnessed up close how God weaves His scarlet cord of redemption into the tapestry of human lives.  Equally marvelous is how God conspires to include other people and agencies in His work of transforming lives.  

Two years ago, the Merrillville church called Chris Kaste to be their pastor.  As a young man, Pastor Chris had come to faith in the church.  He and his wife Linda began their ministry with a deep passion to help the church become more missional, and especially to reach lost people.

Enter Rick and Julia.* Rick came from a tragically dysfunctional home and spent most of his early years in foster homes.  As a youth, he made bad choices, and God placed a teacher in his life who pointed him in the right direction.  He started going to church and began a relationship with Christ.  He married Julia, but their lives were going nowhere.  Julia came from a religious background that did not teach a personal, life-transforming relationship with Christ.  When Rick decided he needed to get back to church, Julia reluctantly went with him to Merrillville Wesleyan.  I met Rick at a district function, heard his story, and pledged to pray for Julia.  They eventually dropped out.  A year later, their daughter developed a serious condition.  Scared, Julia agreed to go back to church with Rick, and God began His transforming work in them.  When I met Julia for the first time, I told her I had prayed for her many times.  With a radiant face and with Rick beaming at her side, she told me how God has wonderfully changed her from the inside out and is helping them in all areas of their lives.

Enter Chad and Amber.* Pastor Chris received a call one day from a Christian lady who networks with churches and believers to help distressed families.  She explained that a couple named Chad and Amber had left the Chicago area to look for work.  They were out of job prospects, money, friends, a home, and hope.  A church had provided motel lodging for a time, but they needed something longer term.  As the board heard of their plight, they eagerly agreed to let them live for a time in the empty parsonage, and the church began a ministry to them.  Remarkably, Amber comes from a similar religious background as Julia and has been a huge help to Amber in her spiritual journey.  Rick has also connected with and befriended Chad.

The Sunday I preached, Chad and Amber sat on the front pew, and their interest and engagement was intense. Afterwards I heard their story.  It was clear that God is powerfully at work in their lives.  Their spiritual hunger was evident.  They are very much “on the way.”

Some would look at these stories and see coincidence rather than providence.  However, out of all the churches Rick and Julia could have attended, isn’t it interesting that they showed up among people who had set their hearts on reaching the spiritually needy?  Isn’t it remarkable that the networking lady contacted the church where another couple was uniquely equipped to minister personally to Chad and Amber?  For the lost, life is a tangled web that makes little or no sense.  However, for those of us in the saving embrace of Christ, life is a wonderful story about a scarlet cord that has drawn us to Him.

To Rick and Julia and Chad and Amber, we extend our love and congratulations as a district family.  It is also our fervent prayer that other stories like theirs (accounts about God’s transforming power) would be celebrated daily as a district.  Please, Lord, let each of us personally be a part of this divine, ongoing drama.

*Names have been changed for privacy purposes.

–Dr. Aron P. Willis is the district superintendent for Indiana North District.