Spiritual Triage

Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40 NIV

Webster's defines triage as, "the sorting of and allocation of treatment (as in an emergency room, battle or disaster), according to a system of priorities designed to maximize the number of survivors." In other words, people receive care according to the urgency of their need.

I've always been fascinated with the process of triage and a good example can be taken from one of my favorite TV shows, MASH. Whenever the wounded were brought into the compound, everyone snapped to attention, dropped whatever they were doing, and ran to the victims to determine what had to be done. "Severe chest wound--prep him and get him to OR--this soldier's lost a lot of blood--superficial wounds; this one can wait."

The one with the greatest need got the most attention-fast and without any question, discussion, or confusion.

I've often thought about how this works in the Christian life and especially, the church.

What if someone walks (or staggers) into one of our services reeking of alcohol, unkempt, and shabbily dressed? Maybe this person has lived a hard life of poverty, addiction, and destruction.

Or, maybe it's a husband who just lost his child, a woman whose husband walked out on her, or a teenage runaway full of piercing and tattoos, with nowhere to go and no one to turn to.

How do we respond?

Do we run to them and allow God's love to flow through us,
Or do we turn and run away from them, seeking those less needy and offensive?
What happens when our own Christian brothers and sisters fall?
Are we quick to help them up and restore them,
Or do we turn our backs and let them make it the best way they can?

It has been said in church circles that Christians are notorious for "shooting their wounded." That's a hard statement, but it holds much truth. The question is, how can we change the scenario?

Everyone has issues and is hurting to some degree. It's up to us as believers to be sensitive to those around us, ready to extend God's mercy and grace to them.

When we minister to others, we minister to the Lord. Just as the Good Samaritan stopped and took care of the beaten man in the ditch, we are called to do the same. The need may be large or small, but God has called and equipped us to do the job. He wants us to be ready to do a little spiritual triage.

The choice is ours. Will you accept the challenge?

Andrea Merelle - Spirit & Body
WB "ChristianDevotionUs" Journal