Years ago I remember reading the story of Kitty Genovese. (I can’t remember the name of the book but the author was Fritz Ridenour. It was a book on evangelism. I also remember he used the story in John 4 to show how Jesus did evangelism with the woman at the well and how it served as a good example for us). Okay…back to Kitty. 🙂 Anyway, Kitty was brutally knifed, raped and murdered outside her apartment one evening. I googled it this morning and recent updates say she was knifed 13 times and no one lifted a finger to help or even call the police. As an aside, her story helped institute 9-1-1 and also what was called The Bystander Effect.
That kind of apathy and “unfeelingness” stuns us. It should stun those who talk about the goodness of man and how we are all basically good inside. I simply cannot fathom that no one came forward to rescue her, to help her or to even call.
Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. A man is beaten, left for dead and two religious people walk on by as though they see nothing. It took a foreigner- a Samaritan- to stop, bind his wounds and take him to a hostel where he could recover. Jesus’ teaching was easy to see-for them and for us. What I need to ask myself, what you need to ask yourself, is who will I choose to be in that story? We live in a time where so many are living in fear and panic. So let me issue this challenge: instead of asking yourself who will I choose to be, why not BE the answer! Why not ask God how you can BE someone’s answer? Pray for God to lead you to someone-especially in this time of fear-who could use your help. Instead of being a need; why not meet a need? And yes, I know we are to take precautions. And we should. There are other ways-creative ways-we can help reach someone’s need.
“Father, you have not asked me to sit idly by or to pass by on the other side. You have given me the challenge to be an answer. Lead me to someone whom I can help.”
Wow! What an awesome post, Bill! Powerful! Thank you!
Thanks Diane. For the kind words and for commenting.
Great post, Bill! Time to be the Church!
Great post! I choose to be cautious and take precautions but won’t stop helping those in need.
Since we’re self-quarantined right now, I can’t physically get out there and offer help. But by keeping a distance from others right now, we are not spreading this virus, so that’s one way of looking at serving others at this time.
Blessings, Bill!
Those kind of stories make me sick to my stomach. Being made in God’s image, I think means that we have a heart to protect and for justice.
We are living through another one of those times that define who we really are. This is when the “actors” are revealed. May God give us the strength to show His love, strength, and compassion to others.