For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' (Matt. 25:35-36 ESV)
First Responders
Something happened recently in Houston and in Florida. People helped each other. It didn’t make the news as often as the tragedies did. The professionals who courageously risked life and limb to rescue the troubled certainly got more spotlights and fame.
But the real heroes to me were not the ones with titles and positions.
The heroes were the ones who showed that they loved by doing what needed to be done, instead of waiting for the uniforms or depending on someone else.
Maybe we need to change the phrase that we use to describe the professionals and uniformed from First Responders to Second Responders.
It’s a mindset, really. One that has become rare in our communities.
When someone needs help, we call in the experts. When someone is in trouble, we depend on the paid professionals. When disasters strike we look around and hope someone ELSE, someone safer, someone trained, someone experienced, someone skilled will do the heavy work.
I agree that at times we need help from experts. I acknowledge that dangers are dangerous.
But rather than let someone else respond first… we should. While we wait, help.
When someone is hungry, feed them. Don’t expect government agencies to provide food first. When someone is thirsty, hook up your own water hose, don’t wait for the Water Department to arrive. When someone is sick, offer compassion and a hand to hold, don’t just send them off to the hospital. When someone is afraid and lonely in prison, get in your car. Don’t just depend on the Prison Ministry Organizations to be the face of Jesus.
Be a first responder.