“They trek for days through crocodile-infested swamps and up rain-lashed mountain jungles, but the members of the Malaya Historical Group are not seeking treasure or ancient artefacts. Instead, they're after rusty wreckage.
Over the past decade, the six amateur Malaysian military historians have helped locate the confirmed or suspected crash sites of 30 World War II aircraft -- helping bring closure for the families of more than 40 missing British and American air crews.”
I quote directly from an article I read on the Associated Free Press website.
The story intrigued me: volunteers taking the time to research forgotten history in difficult locations so that others might know what happened to their loved ones. It’s a touching thought on various levels, from the self-sacrifice of the amateur sleuths to the closure friends and families find after years of not knowing.
The Malaya Historical Group know the importance of knowing our stories and they do something about it, even if it means danger and discomfort. The question that knowing brings to mind for me relates to our story as people of faith. Each of us has his or her own personal story, but for all the uniqueness of our own journeys, we share a common root in Jesus Christ. Our story is invariably His story.
His story is also the story of many, many others, even if they don’t know it. While our nation might not recognize a particular faith system, Christian values and history have had a major impact on its formation. While our legal system might not deal with commandments, its morality and ethics are founded on the 10 laws God laid down for us. Even our very existence on earth is owed to Christ, who was with God from the beginning and through whom all things were made.
So here’s my question: are we willing to take some risks and let the story be known to those who don’t realize it? The Malaya Historical Group searches the jungles to uncover the stories of airmen that have no connection to them. Their only desire is to fill in gaps in their history and to offer those stories to the families that have no idea of the fate of their sons or husbands. It’s an affair of the heart, and an example of what we can do as well. Well, actually, it’s what we are asked to do on Christ’s behalf.
His story matters. It is the one story that everyone should know but does not. It’s the one story that can make a huge positive difference to anyone who hears it. It’s also the one story that can change the world for the better if those who know it are willing to share it and, more importantly, live by it. And here’s the great thing about telling His story: there are no crocodiles or wild jungles to conquer. Telling Jesus’ story might push us beyond our comfort zones but it’s worth that risk, especially when you consider the risk Jesus took to make His story ours.
No comments:
Post a Comment