live for nothing or die for something

John Rambo makes that challenge, "Live for nothing or die for something!" in the recent film. It was a film awash in blood, as usual for a Stallone film, but I was taken by the story line. Maybe because that could be me--the female aid worker. And because it could be many of my friends who put their lives on the line for something they DO believe in. I've never been to Burma. But I have been to other "limited access" places. The reason we go to places like that is because we want to come along side our suffering brothers and sisters in places where Christians are persecuted. If we can encourage them and bless them with medical supplies or food, or material provisions that is good. Most often they offer us spiritual strength...they radiate a confidence in the love of God that comes through their suffering and our faith is increased.

Sometimes we go just to be the arms and hands of Jesus who healed and touched and loved all maner of hurting people. In places like Darfur or Kenya, Christians come and feed refugees or treat those wounded in the genocide taking place there. It would be easier and safer to stay home and watch the Super Bowl. In the earliest scene, John Rambo tells the aid worker to "Stay home". But if everyone stays home, no one stands up to evil. The African Union just sends "Observers". The UN mission is nearly non-existant. and the rest of the world cares little--"Not significant national interest". And by the way, where are the atheists? They have no reason to stand up for the poor or risk anything for the least. But it is precisely because Jesus values every life that we feel called to go and to try to stop this, or help those endangered by it.

John Rambo thinks "the only thing that will change things there, are more guns". Clearly that only seems to increase the spilling of blood. Only one thing can transform a person or a place--and that is the presence of Jesus as savior. And that good news of forgiveness and that breaking of the bondage to hate and evil, is the power to change a heart. and in turn to change a place, and then a nation, and then the world. So when evil people take an aid worker, like the ones who took an aid worker and her driver at gun-point from her aid work in a dangerous place two weeks ago, they may not know that they have taken a powerful-brand of fire into their bosom. Because she brings with her the very presence of Christ Himself. And He has the power to change things--to make men brand new--and that is a dangerous thing.

If you read the New Yorker the overwhelming attitude is "anomie" --people living empty meaningless lives; desparate for some relationship that will last longer than a drink; trying to invent an ethos to live by, seeking to discover some pleasure or reason for living even one more day.

Post-modernist angst is what you get when you choose to "live for nothing." Our brothers and sisters whose faces radiate joy, and peace, may suffer inprisonment, torture, or worse, for their faith. They have decided " to die for something."