THE RIGHT THING
by Teresa Bell Kindred
"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his
friends." (Jesus -- John 15:13)
The rescue of Jessica Lynch last week from the hospital in Iraq where she lay wounded could not have come about if an Iraqi man had not chosen to do the right thing and then had the courage to act on his convictions.
According to news stories, Jessica's rescuer was visiting his wife at the hospital when he saw a commanding officer of the Iraqi Army slap Jessica in the face. He also learned that because of the wound on her leg, doctors were considering amputation. The man then went to American soldiers and told them he wanted to help them rescue Jessica. Even though bombs were falling all around him, even though he knew he was placing his family at great risk, he went back to the hospital, counted the number of soldiers
guarding Jessica and drew maps of the hospital floor plan so that the Americans could plan a rescue mission.
During WW II, Corrie Ten Boom and her family built a secret room in their house where they hid Jews from the Germans. Corrie and her sister Betsy eventually were caught and sent to a concentration camp where Betsy died. Their story can be read in a book called The Hiding Place.
Their story is a wonderful example of the power of faith, the triumph of good over evil, and the importance of doing the right thing.
"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his
friends." (Jesus -- John 15:13)
The rescue of Jessica Lynch last week from the hospital in Iraq where she lay wounded could not have come about if an Iraqi man had not chosen to do the right thing and then had the courage to act on his convictions.
According to news stories, Jessica's rescuer was visiting his wife at the hospital when he saw a commanding officer of the Iraqi Army slap Jessica in the face. He also learned that because of the wound on her leg, doctors were considering amputation. The man then went to American soldiers and told them he wanted to help them rescue Jessica. Even though bombs were falling all around him, even though he knew he was placing his family at great risk, he went back to the hospital, counted the number of soldiers
guarding Jessica and drew maps of the hospital floor plan so that the Americans could plan a rescue mission.
During WW II, Corrie Ten Boom and her family built a secret room in their house where they hid Jews from the Germans. Corrie and her sister Betsy eventually were caught and sent to a concentration camp where Betsy died. Their story can be read in a book called The Hiding Place.
Their story is a wonderful example of the power of faith, the triumph of good over evil, and the importance of doing the right thing.
Jessica Lynch' family has flown across the
ocean to be at her side.
Contrary to prior news reports that stated she did not have gunshot wounds,
it has now been learned that she does. Her fever is high and her white count is elevated, but she is alive and soon to be reunited with the people who know and love her best; her family. Jessica's rescue came about because one ordinary man knew the right thing
to do, then did it at great personal risk. He and the others who helped pass along information on Jessica's whereabouts and treatment have made a huge difference in Jessica's life.
We should never forget that one person can make a difference. Corrie Ten Boom knew it and so did the lawyer who helped rescuers find Jessica. Remember the famous quote by Edmund Everett Hale? "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do." Which reminds me of another famous statement by Edmund Burke that says, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Throughout history, there are many examples of incidents where one person
made a difference. Of course, the greatest example of this principle is Jesus. No other single person has had such an impact on the world, yet Jesus wasn't rich, wasn't a famous athlete, didn't have a huge mansion with a protective bunker, a pool, lavish furnishings, and a squad of servants to wait on him. He wasn't anything special to the people in his community, but what a difference His life made!
While it is easy to sit safely in front of my computer and urge others to do the right thing, I cannot do so without asking myself first, "Faced with similar circumstances as Jessica's rescuer would I do the right thing?" I don't know. I do know that the right choice may not necessarily be the easy choice. I know that right actions sometimes bring about unpleasant consequences, as it did for the young teen at Columbine who admitted she believed in Jesus and was immediately killed. But, I also know that the reward we receive from knowing God and following His commandments more than compensates for any trials and tribulations we experience in this life. I encourage you to follow Jesus and to seek His will so that you can know the "right thing" and do it.
Contrary to prior news reports that stated she did not have gunshot wounds,
it has now been learned that she does. Her fever is high and her white count is elevated, but she is alive and soon to be reunited with the people who know and love her best; her family. Jessica's rescue came about because one ordinary man knew the right thing
to do, then did it at great personal risk. He and the others who helped pass along information on Jessica's whereabouts and treatment have made a huge difference in Jessica's life.
We should never forget that one person can make a difference. Corrie Ten Boom knew it and so did the lawyer who helped rescuers find Jessica. Remember the famous quote by Edmund Everett Hale? "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do." Which reminds me of another famous statement by Edmund Burke that says, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Throughout history, there are many examples of incidents where one person
made a difference. Of course, the greatest example of this principle is Jesus. No other single person has had such an impact on the world, yet Jesus wasn't rich, wasn't a famous athlete, didn't have a huge mansion with a protective bunker, a pool, lavish furnishings, and a squad of servants to wait on him. He wasn't anything special to the people in his community, but what a difference His life made!
While it is easy to sit safely in front of my computer and urge others to do the right thing, I cannot do so without asking myself first, "Faced with similar circumstances as Jessica's rescuer would I do the right thing?" I don't know. I do know that the right choice may not necessarily be the easy choice. I know that right actions sometimes bring about unpleasant consequences, as it did for the young teen at Columbine who admitted she believed in Jesus and was immediately killed. But, I also know that the reward we receive from knowing God and following His commandments more than compensates for any trials and tribulations we experience in this life. I encourage you to follow Jesus and to seek His will so that you can know the "right thing" and do it.
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