Sacrifices
“Greater love has no one than
this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
– John 15:13
Jesus knew what was coming. He understood His purpose
even though His disciples, His friends, didn’t have a clue as to what Jesus
would soon face. Jesus loved them. Jesus loves us. Jesus loves us enough that
He died so we could be set free from death.
We know that many sacrifice of themselves to keep us
safe and protected. We think of the soldiers who serve around the world, separated
from family and friends, to defend us and to try and bring a measure of peace
to this chaotic world.
We understand that police officers, state troopers,
sheriff’s deputies and others in law enforcement play a vital role in
protecting us all. Sometimes they pay a price that is way too high. Sometimes
they die in the line of duty. A North Carolina family today endures that
unimaginable scenario.
And then there are all the others. Hurricane Michael
has ravaged a large area filled with our friends and neighbors. While some send
money and bottled water and such – a good thing right now – others show up and
work.
One such man, a firefighter, lost his life yesterday.
A tree fell on the tractor he was driving as he helped clear debris for family
members. Hurricane Michael claimed another victim.
Even now, power companies have sent linemen into
devastated areas. They’ve come from numerous states. Yes. They’re getting paid.
They’re also doing dangerous work for really long hours in horrific conditions.
We’re blessed to have them. We’re thankful to have them.
Eleven years ago my hometown suffered a devastating
tornado that destroyed a large area, including the high school. Nine people
died. Eight were high school students. Volunteers and emergency crews descended
on the town and we were and are so grateful. We needed help and help came.
I also remember watching someone cutting a tree that
was broken and hanging awkwardly. He almost causing someone else to be badly
injured. It was an accident. The volunteer wasn’t trained. He knew how to use a
chain saw. It wasn’t that. It’s that the trees after a storm are damaged in a
way that can cause them to fall differently. The disaster team crews are
specially trained in how to get them removed without injury. Most of the time
no one gets hurt. Until they do.
There are people from all over the country who are
making sacrifices right now to help those who are in desperate need. This isn’t
some disaster that happened in another country. It happened in our backyard.
These are our people. They are good, hard-working people who are now in
desperate need.
I applaud those who go into the disaster zone and
help. I admire the emergency workers and trained disaster teams. I am so
grateful for the lineman and others who are working hard to restore power and
water, to clear debris and to provide food for others. They are loving others
like Jesus would.
Take a moment, if you would, to remember Gulf County
Fire Coordinator Brad Price of Wewahitchka, FL. And remember North Carolina State
Highway Patrol Trooper Kevin Conner. Pray for their families and friends. They
are both gone way too soon.
