My phone has been ringing off the hook with people worried about the economy. Some have lost jobs; others are on the brink of losing their homes. Anxiety and fear have become the emotional standard for many. These are uncertain times. However, as a Christ follower, we do have good news in the midst of the storm. God is in control. No matter how bleak the situation appears to be, the outcome will be used for good and will strengthen our faith to an even deeper level.

For the broken and downtrodden, the Nashville Rescue Mission has been a safe harbor from life’s storms for over 55 years. They consistently and faithfully administer life-sustaining help to men and women who are hanging on by a thread.

Yes, a storm hits everyday in our country and here in Middle Tennessee in the form of poverty, hunger and homelessness. The Mission’s doors are always open providing a message of hope and a road map for the journey back home.

The Mission’s life-recovery program equips men and women with the tools they need to help themselves. Through a rigorous schedule of Bible classes, GED preparation, job training, work therapy and counseling, graduates are ready to re-enter life with the confidence of knowing who they are in Christ.

The Mission serves as an example of what the real-life application of the biblical principals they teach looks like. Day after day, year after year, the faithful staff and volunteers of the Nashville Rescue Mission stand ready to serve whoever seeks help. People society deem unlovable, despicable and not worthy are met with acceptance, respect and are held in high-regard.

Government plans come and go, but the Mission’s method of recovery has stood the test of time—Jesus Saves. This is why the Mission exists, and why its founders decided in 1953 no money would ever be accepted from the government, a decision that remains a core principal in 2010.

Here’s the best part! All the anxiety and fear that storms bring our way almost instantly subside when we decide to get involved and support a worthwhile cause. It’s the very essence of how each of us is designed. The Nashville Rescue Mission is changing lives of homeless people and the lives of people like you and me. When I say, “I’m doing better than I deserve,” now you know one of the reasons why.