“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.”
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
On August 21, 2013, a New York City cab jumped the sidewalk and plowed into a cyclist, then hit British tourist Siân Green and severed her leg. People in the area sprang into action, including a plumber named David Justino, who removed his belt and applied it to the leg as a tourniquet. Max Crespo, a food vendor brought ice and packed the severed limb, and an unnamed nurse guided all of the life-saving efforts. The story gained national attention when celebrity physician Mehmet Oz emerged from his office across the street to offer his assistance. If you GOOGLE this story, you will see that several of the heroes in this story are named… Justino and Crespo are among them. Of course, onlookers readily recognized Dr. Oz. The nurse did not give her name, and I am not sure whether she has ever come forth. As I write this devotional, there is an ad running on television for an upcoming Dr. Oz Show episode that will feature Siân Green and some of her “heroes”.
There are countless events in our world every day where people rush to make a difference in the lives of others. And in Dr. Oz’ defense, he cannot help that he is widely recognized. It might seem like he is exploiting this event. And in the eyes of some… maybe he is. But I visited Dr. Oz’ blog and learned more about “Plumber Dave” (as some have dubbed him) and the other unsung heroes of this tragedy, and Dr. Oz appears to be giving them all the credit for saving the life of Siân Green.
Imagine if every time your doctor saved a life, he/she called a news conference! What if you put out a notice on social media every time you helped a neighbor, bought someone’s meal in the drive-thru line, or sent a note of appreciation to someone who had touched your life in some manner? Would your efforts appear to be genuine and offered out of true discipleship and service? Or would stroking your ego seem to be the driving force behind them?
Ask yourself these simple questions… “Why am I doing XYZ? Is it so people will notice me and be impressed? Or is it because God has called me to serve Him by serving others… in whatever manner and format are appropriate at the time?” Remind yourself that God does not applaud when you “toot your own horn”! He does not reward ego and self-serving talk and actions. Nothing about Christian discipleship is truly about us!
On Dr. Oz’ blog (http://blog.doctoroz.com/dr-oz-blog/our-common-kindness), he states…
Dave is an inspiration to me. His example reminds us all that we are not alone in moments of crisis. If you ever need proof of human goodness, remember the people who opened their doors or handed out free soup and sandwiches to people affected by Hurricane Sandy. Think of people who hurried to pull victims from the rubble after a building collapsed in Philadelphia in June. Look to the elementary school clerk who fearlessly talked down an armed shooter in Georgia before he could hurt a single student.God wants us to be ordinary servants who do extraordinary things. When we accept the challenges, He will provide us with opportunities…and bless us in ways we cannot even imagine. But the choice is ours. We can do what is asked of us with quiet humility and a spirit of servitude. We can answer the call… and brag about it afterward. Or we can do nothing and “let the chips fall where they may”. How will you choose? Your answer matters… maybe more than you think! Is the world your “stage”… or are you quietly serving as a Christian disciple and basking in the applause of heaven?
It can be easy to lose perspective as we find ourselves caught up in minor irritations and arguments throughout the day. But we must remember that when it comes down to it, kindness is our best defense against disaster, and absolutely no one is too ordinary to be a hero.
©2013 Debbie Robus
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