Losing Who We Want to Save

July 8, 2025 at 8:34 am 8 comments

As news broke about the Central Texas floods and the loss of 27 girls at Camp Mystic, this was the picture that got me. A first responder – clearly tough as nails – with his head in his hand sobbing at what – at who – he has just found.

When I first saw it, I started sobbing, too.

I am no mind-reader, but I can tell you with almost 100 percent certainty what he was thinking as the tears flowed: “If only I could have saved her.” In fact, even more than that: “I would have willingly given my life for hers.”

There is something in the human instinct and drive to save others, especially children, that profoundly reflects the God in whose image we are made. It’s why mothers leap to the ground to cushion their toddlers from a fall. It’s why firefighters rush into burning buildings. Tears for Fears told us, “Everybody wants to rule the world.” Maybe so. But there’s something even deeper in us that wants to save the world.

I can’t imagine a more exhilarating feeling than saving a life. The mixture of joy and relief that rushes through the soul can’t be described – only experienced.

But the inverse is also true. I can’t imagine anything more soul-crushing than losing a life you desperately wanted to save. Hence the haunting thoughts:

“If only I could have saved her.”

“I would have willingly given my life for hers.”

I know these thoughts because they are universal. We’ve all thought them in one form or another when loss visits us. And they’re ancient. This is why the Psalmist complains: “No man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life” (Psalm 49:7). But oh, how we wish we could.

The gospel has something to say to that first responder – and to us – when we cry: “I would have willingly given my life for hers.” It says, “Thank you. And I know you would have. But Someone already has. She’s taken care of.”

This is why this is the other picture that brought me to tears.

This picture reminds me that the girls who lost their lives at Camp Mystic still have their lives – because long before floodwaters surged down the Guadalupe River on a Friday in the twenty-first century, one Man gave His life on a cross in exchange for theirs on a Friday in the first century.

That doesn’t stop our tears. But it promises us that our tears are not final.

Entry filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: camp-mystic, Faith, Family, first-responder, floods, God, kerrville, Life, Writing.

How Are We Justified?

8 Comments Add your own

1. Irene McIntoh | July 8, 2025 at 9:34 am

Thank you dear one. So many people are still in shock; so many more are hurting. Thank you for acknowledging the pain, for pointing out the broken hearts and the deep love that wants to do more to help. Especially, thank you for the hope.
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2. Jennifer | July 8, 2025 at 10:04 am

Thank you Pastor Zach! Beautifully said.
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3. Ruth Mayes | July 8, 2025 at 6:37 pm

Thank you, Pastor McIntosh🙏🙏🙏
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4. Kobi Nichols | July 8, 2025 at 7:20 pm

Amen!
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5. andyv108 | July 8, 2025 at 7:48 pm

Great message Pastor Zach. We really miss you at Concordia. My wife and I regularly watch Zion Lutheran Church online just to hear your sermons. This is a tough time in America and you help us maintain hope. Look forward to your next message. God bless you Pastor Zach. Andy & Rosemary VasquezSan Antonio, TexasUT Austin, Class of ’76
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6. Rose | July 8, 2025 at 8:30 pm

Beautiful! Thank you Pastor Zach!
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7. Shaun P Fidler | July 9, 2025 at 12:42 pm

Lord, we want to thank you for the hope we have in our faith that you are always there when tragedies happen. We ask for your forgiveness when we are selfish and think of our own pain. Not that it’s not real but there might be someone going through something worse than us. I think about these children and bless to know that probably most of them knew you and are living in Paradise now with no worries just the joy of being with our Savior. Lord forgive us and help us to always think about others than ourselves. In Jesus name Amen!!!!

Pastor Zach thank you for the words you shared and the pictures, you were filled with the Holy Spirit when those words were written. Praise God for men like you and blessings to you and all that are suffering from this disaster.
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8. Gary Joiner | July 10, 2025 at 8:00 am

I watched a video clip of several first responders trying to rescue a young girl struggling in the raging river. She kept going under for what seemed an eternity while in the grasp of the rescuers who were trying to get a rope around her. They finally succeeded, but I wonder if she might develop pneumonia from inhaling all that filthy water. It was hard to watch! Gary Joiner
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