'Remember how short my time is' (Psalm 89:47)
Yesterday, driving to a meeting, I witnessed the immediate aftermath of a roll-over accident which eventually would claim the lives of two teenagers, one of which was lying on the road in front of me.
On the shoulder near an exit ramp of a major interstate through Minneapolis were three bloodied individuals lying on the road next to a smashed front-end of a Toyota Camry.
One of these individuals was a young man, apparently in his teens, covering his face with his hands, blood and scrapes on his body bawling with an expression that only comes from deep, deep pain. This grief did not appear to be of a physical pain, but one of deep emotional despair.
Another girl was scurrying around moving things away from the third person, who was lying lifeless on the side of the car, apparently thrown from the vehicle.
Many cars had pulled over to the side of the road with cell phones in hand talking to police, etc. to bring assistance to the area. Brake lights in front of me and stacked cars behind me moving over to avoid the scene.
This provoked my thoughts to how I interact in love to those around me. One of the great commandments that Jesus gave is to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22). I saw many people rushing to the scene to help, call, move, transport, etc. and I was deeply moved by those unselfish reactions.
Why is that so unique in our world today? I would propose that we have perhaps abandoned or are simply unaware of the first part of Jesus' statement: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind'.
My love for God, who deeply loves me, should compel me to act in love to other people, unconditionally.
It is my hope that this action in my life becomes more and more automatic and doesn't require the events of a tragedy to move me to action.
Grace & Peace,
PLW
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