A Shoulder to Lean On

I’m sitting here, sadly recalling the horrific day of September 11, 2001, (9/11), when the twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York City was attacked by al-Qaeda terrorists. 

They hijacked two commercial airliners and crashed them into the towers causing both to collapse to the ground.  Tragically, 2,753 innocent people died that morning, of whom 343 were firefighters.

Stunned passerby’s and first responders were able to assist several survivors and provide a shoulder to lean on when escaping the catastrophic nightmare.  Later these heroes and all of America grieved and mourned the loss of those that died.

The normal reaction of most people that find themselves in frightening situations experience an acute stress response called, fight or flight. 

Those that decided to move, expeditiously, to help people escape the overwhelming shock of a calamitous occurrence, probably experienced a split-second decision to flee or deliberately act with purpose, and someway attempt to safeguard the lives of those in need; a shoulder to lean on, as it were.

The boldness of these heroes that did everything they could to help, speaks loudly the strong determination that people can generate, while adrenaline courses through their body in times of crisis, and let us not forget the desire in one’s heart to make a meaningful difference in someone else’s life.

Their acts of bravery and genuine concern for others, regardless of their own safety, reminds me of a story in the Bible.  It involves a person that Jesus called, a certain Samaritan.  He is known as The Good Samaritan.  (Luke 10:25-37)

Jesus was sharing with a lawyer the importance of loving your neighbor as yourself when he shared this story about a certain man that fell among thieves on his trek down from Jerusalem to Jericho.  They stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

A priest came down the same road and saw the injured man and passed by on the other side without stopping.  A Levite, when he arrived at the place, seeing the man in desperate need of help, didn’t want to get involved, and he too passed by without providing aid.

But a certain Samaritan saw the man, came to him, evaluated the situation, and did what was necessary to save his life.  He did not pass by on the other side of the road but was moved with compassion for the dying man.

The Samaritan, poured on oil and wine, bandaged the wounds and set him on his own animal and took the man to an inn where he cared for him that night.  Before leaving the next day, the Samaritan gave money to the innkeeper to care for the man and promised to repay whatever more he spent when he returned.

I am sure the man owed his life to this selfless individual who stopped, because of the need.  The preceding story has to do with loving our neighbor as ourselves as one of the things to inherit eternal life. 

I would like to think it also relates not only to giving ourselves in minister to the physical needs of others, but becoming involved at whatever level the need dictates and not standing outside looking in, doing nothing. 

The following thoughts center around the spiritual wellbeing of individuals needing life-giving sustenance to help guide them through life’s challenges.

The most important aspect of life is not so much our physical wellness, though important, it is the spiritual, inner soul of a person that may need our attention to share words of encouragement, or to be a sounding board to just listen to their woes, or to be a friend to lend a shoulder to cry on.

Healing comes in different forms, and we should be ready to stand in the gap where we are needed to be God’s hand extended, by proxy.  The life we save is someone’s child, whether that person is young or old.  How sad, if a legitimate need presents itself, yet we walk by because of our busy schedule doing whatever. 

We must be mindful to not close our bowels of compassion when opportunities knock at our door to give a cup of cool, refreshing water to a thirsting soul that is suffering from spiritual dehydration, or share a piece of the living bread of life to a malnourished soul needing the Savior.

Jesus is the water of life that quenches the thirst of a soul needing Godly sustenance.  The bread of life is God’s Word, the Bible.  When we look for opportunities to be God’s arms outstretched and provide a shoulder that someone can lean on when they are spiritually wounded and needing someone to care enough to share the Good News that Jesus loves them, we will not be disappointed.  We will be blessed.

There is always someone in need just around the corner or next door to where we live.  We should never be too busy to take time and meet the spiritual needs of others.  One soul that surrenders their life to the Lord is saved from an eternal separation from God.

This redeemed soul is worth more than all the money in the world.  I thank God for the individual who took time with me when I was spiritually wounded and dying on the inside.  He ministered and was instrumental in bringing healing to my sin-sick soul.  I was that person who needed a shoulder to lean on.

(1 John 3:17), “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?”

Salvation is having one’s sins forgiven by God, which provides hope of eternal life in heaven.  This is worth more than money can buy.  A hand full of hundred-dollar bills cannot buy what Jesus Christ, the Savior, gives freely to whoever accepts Him as Lord.

When I was ministered to, my soul was healed, and it did not cost me a dime.  Salvation, through Jesus, is free for the asking.  He will never pass us by but will bandage our spiritual wounds and give life more abundantly.  He provides the shoulder we can lean on when times are tough. 

Thank you, Jesus, for your love and compassion to me, a sinner saved by grace.

Written by,

Papa Boyd