The Path of Life

"Therefore choose life" Deut. 30:19

I was listening to an interview with the leader of a group of volunteer rescue workers in Syria, known as the "White Helmets". This is a group of Syrian men (plumbers, carpenters, shop owners, etc.) who search through the rubble in the aftermath of bombings in their white safety helmets to try and locate survivors. When asked why he would put his life at risk to serve like this, rather than, for instance, to serve in the Syrian army, he responded "I chose to follow a path of life rather than a path of death." These brave men have been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

As this applies to Christians, we are also to be the "White Helmets". To search through the rubbles of life and help people come out from that ruin, to heal their wounds as best we can, and let God introduce Himself to them. In a world of sanitized Christians, that means getting our hands dirty. With the story of the Good Samaritan, the hero is not the priest, or Levite, but the one who took, clothed and bandaged the beaten man. The story was told to identify who is our neighbor, the one we are to love like ourselves. But I think we are to not just love, but be like that neighbor. When he pulled the man up, he didn't ask "What were you doing in this part of town?" "Why didn't you pay attention?" That's what happens in the wrong crowd!" He just saw to his need and made sure he was cared for. So should we reach out to those around us, not as adversaries, but as neighbors. Not to destroy like an army, but to rescue, to love, like a neighbor.

We have chosen life, because God has chosen us. A hand reached down and pulled us from the rubble. He accepted us "as is", and said "I love you." To do less than this for others, when God has so greatly loved us, is to shame Him, and it mocks the love He gave. Be a neighbor. Just reach out your hand. In today's world, there are more than enough within reach who desperately need it.