Side by Side

Our love for one another as believers in Christ provides a powerful witness to the world.  As we love Him and follow Him in obedience to love others, people will be drawn to what, or better said, Who,
is flowing through us. Philippians 2 instructs us:
1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

We are the people of God, called to be in fellowship with our Savior, and called to walk in community with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  If the world sees a divided Church, then it diminishes the degree to which people want to be associated with it.  But, if they see the love of Jesus operating through the Church, through believers, motivated by humility and compassion, then we become a powerful witness to a world that needs to see His grace.

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In John chapter 13, Jesus is teaching His disciples how to truly love each other.  It is described as a
"new commandment," as we see here, and our obedience to it provides a witness to the world:
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

We can be thankful for the men and women who drive across our country to bring needed food and supplies to various areas.  Those who drive the 18-wheelers provide an incredible service.

Now, I have to admit, that doesn't cross my mind, when you are on a interstate, you want to pass, and it might be difficult to do so because our friends are driving either side-by-side or close to one another.   But, in Detroit recently, there was an instance where truckers banded together and totally blocked an area interstate - 13 trucks side-by-side.

You see, according to local television station, Fox 2, a man was on a bridge over a local freeway, known as 696.  He was apparently planning or threatening to commit suicide.  Michigan State Police swung into action.  Here's what was reported:

The first call came in a little before 1 a.m. on Tuesday as the unnamed man was on the bridge over the highway. The eastbound lanes were closed as MSP started organizing semi-truck passing through.

A few minutes later, the westbound lanes were also closed as more semis showed up to cross the highway. All told, 13 semi trucks were parked under the overpass to shorten the distance he would fall, if he were to have jumped.

Thankfully, the man did not jump and the situation ended as the man walked off the bridge. He was taken by Huntington Woods Police to Beaumont hospital for evaluation.

MSP, Huntington Woods and Oak Park police were all on scene and all had negotiators talking to the man for several hours until it ended peacefully.

MSP stands for Michigan State Police.

One of the trucking companies represented was Moon Star.  The Detroit Free Press stated:

Renee Osaer, safety director for Moon Star, said she was proud that one of the company's drivers was involved.

"At Moon Star (Express) we believe in safety and giving people chances," Osaer said. "We were very pleased to be able to assist in the situation because we feel that all of our drivers and everyone out there are people, and that's ultimately the goal — safety and people."

Both of the stories I referenced included the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is 1-800-273-8255.

There are several takeaways that I'd like to spotlight here.

First of all, there's the reminder that there are people who are hurting in our society today.  Their lives have been racked by hopelessness and we have the opportunity to relate the hope of the gospel.  It is important that we get help for people who are despondent, even to the point of taking their own lives.  And, we can be sensitive to the warning signs.

Also, as Franklin Graham points out, this gives us an opportunity to reflect on the key role that law enforcement plays in our lives.  He wrote on Facebook:

...the Michigan State Police had 13 tractor-trailers pull together to break his fall. What an incredible idea—and what a great way to show this man that people cared and that his life mattered. Our law enforcement officers go above and beyond to protect and serve every day in our communities—it’s just that many times we don’t hear the stories. I’m truly thankful for these heroes—including every trucker who helped—aren’t you?

Finally, this image of thirteen semi-trucks lined up together to help save a life presents an image of how the Church, the body of Christ can unite to help people in need.  When a member of the body is down, we can join together - side-by-side - to stand with and support that person. And, when someone who is outside the Church suffers, we can intervene with the love of Jesus, as well.  Jesus talked about the witness to the world that occurs as we love one another.