In the light of all the suffering and loss sustained in Alabama and surrounding states due to the recent tornadoes, something beautiful and amazing has surfaced and begun to shine through the dark days like a diamond caught in the sunlight. The good will, humanity and self sacrifice of neighbors, answering the call to meet the needs of those in crisis is awe inspiring. Truly in times like these we see the potential of the human race to be selfless, adequate in the ability to love thy neighbor as thyself. When we see a catastrophe such as this and witness such loss and tragedy, we are moved to action by something innate, something built into our DNA…love. Love alone, love unconditional, will give of itself to save another.
Here in Selma, Al there is a far greater crisis taking place even now. It is one that may not be as visible to the undiscerning eye but its effects are devastating. In our streets, in our workplaces, in our homes, all around us victims are claimed. Just like those storm victims who did lie trapped beneath rubble and debris, waiting and praying for rescue; our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and loved ones lie trapped here beneath invisible walls that have fallen in, in deep hopelessness, bound by the chains of sin, under the jurisdiction of death and they are crying out for help. They are waiting for their rescuer. Though they may not even know that God is their only hope and Christ their savior, when the garbage and debris are peeled away and the light begins to pour into the dark places and the chains fall away, they will see and they will be eternally grateful. The plight of the victims of these tornadoes is indeed sad and not to be belittled, but this too shall pass, but for those facing the crisis of death and hell, their suffering will be an eternal one. What are we doing to rescue them?
It is hard for me to comprehend how we can be moved with such compassion to take action to save lives and meet needs after a terrible storm, yet daily we like the priest and the Levite pass by people who are dying and in need and do not take the time to stop and help them. I am definitely not saying that we should not help those victims of such great catastrophes, or that it is not a wonderful thing to do. I am simply wondering why we cannot choose to live with such compassion every day. Were love and selflessness to become a lifestyle rather than a reaction to certain stimuli then the entire world would be saved and there would be no need unmet. The Good Samaritan inconvenienced himself greatly. He did not have an extra donkey, he placed the suffering man on his own donkey, and then he took the reins and walked him the rest of the way to the city. His loving rescue came out of self-sacrifice. Maybe it is that we too often are just not willing to walk those extra miles.
My hearts’ desire is that you will join me and that today we will not only reach out with compassion to those victims of the storms, but that we will continue in our endeavors each and every day, to reach out with compassion to those in the greatest crisis of all, an eternal crisis for which Jesus is the only rescue.
