by Sally Matheny
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| photo by Sally Matheny |
Martin Luther King, Jr. gave an intriguing perspective
on the story of the Good Samaritan. He said, “The first question which the
priest and the Levite asked was, ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen
to me?’ But the Good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help
this man, what will happen to him?”
Have you ever considered the Good Samaritan as a first
responder? He wasn’t certified, emergency personnel. The priest in the story certainly
wasn’t like NYFD chaplain, Father Mychal Judge, who went to assist those in
need when the World Trade Center was attacked.
Due to the terrorists’ assaults on September 11, 2001, almost 3,000
people died. That death toll included over 400 first responders, including
Father Judge, who came to the rescue.
While people poured out to escape the towers, the first responders
charged in. Pushing through heavy smoke and ash, they sought out those in need.
Why?
Why would anyone risk their life for a stranger? Why endanger your
future with your spouse, your children, and your life dreams in order to preserve
the future of a stranger?
Intense training helps America’s emergency personnel, fire fighters,
police officers and military service members. They are the best first
responders when physical danger looms. They have my utmost respect and
appreciation.
However, we hear about other kinds of first responders, when rare moments
arise and an immediate action is necessary. People pull victims to safety and thwart
evil schemes.They step up and speak up.
Some people bravely spring into action while others hang back. Why?
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| Practice compassion. Pixabay photo |
Are certain people born with a natural tendency towards empathy? I’m
sure a thousand scientific studies have already been conducted concerning the
topic.
One thing for sure, we’re all born with a selfish nature.
And we all experience fear.
So, why do some people stop and help, like the Good Samaritan, and
others pass by?
It’s obvious when we hang back, it‘s due to some type of fear. Fear of
pain, rejection, or the cost of time, money, and emotional involvement.
Some researchers suggest the ones who act, usually grew up taking part
in activities which involved empathy. As children, they may have had
opportunities to serve in the community, work at shelters, or watched parents
be a voice for the oppressed.
If children are encouraged to do the right thing, and to help those
less fortunate, then they are more likely to continue to do those things as
adults.
On the other hand, if children grow up where everything is centered on their desires and comfort, then it makes
sense that they will avoid anything contrary to that.
Sometimes, to do the right thing as a parent, we have to face our own
fears of pain, rejection, time & emotional involvement.
Are we willing stop and tend to our children’s hearts, instead of
gliding by, hoping they pick up assistance from someone else? Because someone
else may teach how to do good things without adding the Reason why we do them.
Someone else may add agendas to pollute the heart instead of allowing God’s
Word to purify it. Even worse, there may not be anyone willing to stop at all. Too
late, we realize what we had hoped would happen “naturally,” or under someone
else’s care, did not happen at all.
Are we brave enough to set an example for our kids by lovingly speaking
the truth of God’s Word rather than agreeing with a world that contradicts it?
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| photo by Sally Matheny |
God, help us to be
the first responders to our children’s spiritual training. Strengthen us to
stand firm on your perfect, Holy Word. By Your grace and mercy, help us raise our children
to be God-fearing, yet fearless of the world. Help us instill in them a love for all your people. To be first
responders for those in need, especially those in need of You. Amen.
