Rescuer or Ridiculer
By Pastor Debra A. Whitlock Lax
Lenny Skutnick stood on the sidelines with everyone else, watching the rescuers of a plane crash. Seventy-four people lost their lives on January 13, 1982. Skutnick, 28 years old, witnessed a stewardess struggling to survive. Injured, tired, and nearly dead, she had no energy to hold on to the lifelines thrown at her. Skutnick jumped to her rescue and navigated her to the lifeline thrown from the helicopter. When questioned about his motivation for risking life and limb to save someone he did not know, he said he did not think about it. Somebody had to go in the water.
How often do people stand on their lofty proverbial balcony or bridge and watch as their church sinks and closes its doors? It is easy to stand on the sidelines, grumbling, gawking, and gossiping. However, gropers rarely find the light switch in the dark because they choose not to walk with God–the True Light.
1) How many people walked by not wanting to get involved but shook their heads? A charge to keep beyond the grave
2) How many “good folks” gawked, grimaced, and gossiped about the plane’s demise?
3) Who were the accusers, blamers, and critiques – the “know-it-alls” who wagged their fingers, giving an opinion of what should be done or how they would do it but never lifting a finger to help?
4) Who would be the brave soul to jump in the frigid water believing that they might make a difference and be willing to lose their life trying to save at least one person?
Lenny Skutnick took action to save a soul. He did not attempt to change the Helicopter pilot’s way of doing things or instruct people in the life rafts on how best to pull people from the Potomac. Instead, he jumped in to lead the dying woman to the Lifeline. He did what he could to help the Helicopter Pilot save people from death.
The Ouch. Steer clear from Jonah-like spirits who reluctantly serve with an agenda of seeing failure and destruction (Book of Jonah). Stay clear of the rebellion of the company of Korah (Numbers 26:9-10; 27:3), who sewed division against God’s leadership, rebelliously contending with the Lord urging others to join them on the sidelines. Remember to help rather than hinder the work of saving lives. Be a selfless, rescuer clergy helper.
The Amen. Pastors are like the helicopter Pilot dropping ropes of hope — the True Lifeline–the Good News of Christ and God’s salvific promise. Dying people are not called to hang on to the Pilot (aka the Pastor); We are to hold on to God’s unchanging hand. God commands us to hold on to Jesus Christ. Pastors need selfless clergy helpers and rescuers to jump into the proverbial waters to help those in the church and its community to hang on to Jesus Christ. Thank God for church members who are like Lenny Skutnick. Faithful church members put their personal feelings and attitudes aside and jump in and help. They realize it is not about them, the Pilot, or the Boat rescuers – it is about saving lives. I am thankful for the “rescuers” of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (in Sparks) who engage in ministry and save souls.
Choose The Amen and help grow your church by sharing the Gospel.
