The Jaws of life

I was reading today that when people need to be cut out of cars after a bad car accident, there is often a tool used called the "Jaws of life."

The Jaws of life are big cutters that can cut away doors to give access to people who are trapped.

Even when drivers have had an accident through no one's fault but their own, rescue crews will still use the "jaws of life" to get them out of trouble.

Some people get into accidents because they are talking on their cell phones.

Other are listening to the radio and reach down to change the channel.

Others still are just not paying attention.

Yet whether the accident was self-imposed or not, the "jaws of life" can still be used to get them out of danger.

The rescue team doesn't stand back and say, "well, they are getting what they deserve."  "They should have known better."  "There are others who need our help more than they do."

No, they answer the call for help no matter who is at fault.

You say, "well, I can't help everyone!"  And there is validity to that.  The question is not, "have you helped everyone," the question is, "have you helped someone, anyone - today - this past week - this past month."

Pastor James, in James 5:19,20, states to his church in Jerusalem, "My brothers (other followers of Christ), if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this:  Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins."

I understand that to mean that we as Christians should be the "jaws of life" to one another.

When someone is trapped, whether it is their "fault" or not, we should be ready, prayerfully ready to rescue them.

We should be willing to offer a lifeline to our brothers and sisters when they are stuck.

After all, we all reach a point when we will need those "jaws of life" ourselves. 

Just a thought for a Wednesday.