..but how far, for the one?

But how far would we go for the one? 

 

I have read this scripture over and over. I hear it stamped on logos and even tattoos. I read it as a statement and a mission behind my church home in Utah. 

 

For the one. Again and again. 

 

But at what cost? At what length would we genuinely go FOR THE ONE? 

 

Earlier this week I had the privilege to teach CPR and basic first aid to the tailoring students at our ministry. This includes 9 incredible woman with stories that I am anxiously waiting to hear. 

 

 

 

During the class they asked question after question, GOOD ONES TOO. They wanted to not only know but genuinely understand how to perform CPR; which is translated simply as relief. I will say though, some questions were constantly centered around these WHAT IF statements. 

 

But what if they have HIV? 

But what if they have TB? 

But what if they are a child? 

But what if….

 

I boldly spoke up after many of these back to back questions, and reminded them all of the verse in Luke with the parable about leaving the ninety-nine sheep for the one sheep that was lost, Luke 15:4-7.

 

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?”

 

Reiterating that the life is worth it, again and again, and no matter what you are fighting on behalf of that life with CPR. They all nodded, adding in amen’s and hallelujahs, and then we finished the remainder of the lesson. With the big take-away being this : no matter what the most important thing to do is try and save the life. 

 

 

Fast forward to the next day, where our team chose to watch Hotel Rwanda, to further educate ourselves on the tragedy of the 1994 Rwanda Genocide. During our first or second day of ministry, our host Glinda, took us to only two of the many memorial sites in the country. While there we learned about the unimaginable things such as murdering amongst neighbors, sexually mutilating women, and torturing many children to name a few. So our choice to watch the movie was to give us more understanding, but knowing for certain that it would tear at our hearts and souls in a deep way. 

 

 

While watching the movie, again and again people turned their back to Rwanda. Not just local neighbors or some military offices, but literal nations and countries of millions of people turned their backs and acted as if it wasn’t happening and denying the fact of it being genocide. 

I was disgusted at the lack of personnel that raised up to the call, and after the movie I was rattling with this idea again that the women of the program brought up.

How far would I really go for the one? Would I ask the questions?

  

But what if they are white?

But what if they are black? 

But what if they are Russian?

But what if they are Ukrainian? 

But what if they are unvaccinated? 

But what if they are vaccinated? 

But what if they are LGBTQ+?

But what if they are republican or democratic? 

But what if…. Fill in the blank?  

 

Would I stand up and rise up for them regardless? Would I fight for the unity of the kingdom of heaven rather than the uniformity and sameness of the world? 

 

Would I, even if it meant brutality or torture as it did for them only 28 years ago?  

 

Is the one worth it only in my comfort box and convenience, or is the one worth it outside of that? Outside of agreeing views? 

Is the SOUL worth it? 

 

I sure hope so. 

 

And I pray I am not a coward in those circumstances if and when they happen. I pray that I am partnered with others that are courageous enough to fight on behalf of those who cannot. I pray that I live my life not caught in the pandemic of the stand by effect, but rather for the hunger of God, and His righteous hand of justice. 

I pray to fight boldly for the one without hesitancy on the WHAT IF of who they are. 

However far it might take me; I pray for the courage and grace to empower others like you to do the same. Together, for others. 

 

xoxo

d 

 

 

I encourage you to watch this movie to educate yourself on the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, which in school I hardly heard anything about… and I studied Community/Public health in my first degree at George Mason. 

 

Hotel Rwanda