This story is hypothetical. "Diane, I'm going to drive to Joplin to help." You can fill in the name of any place closer to your home that's been struck by tragedy. So when I get close to Joplin, the police stop me and turn me back. "Thank you, sir, for your willingness but it's not helpful to have people coming in right now." Since this is a hypothetical scenario, let's say the police let me pass. I arrive and tell some official, "I'm here to help." The official is busy and a bit bothered by me. "Go to the Red Cross." I do but they tell me they really don't need my presence but can use a cash donation. What's the end result of this imagined Good Samaritan trip? I didn't do much to help.
The police... the Red Cross. Those are institutions, just like the church, businesses, military, hospitals and the like. We live in a time when people distrust institutions but at the end of the day, in times of overwhelming crisis, we need institutions to do what we can't do individually and alone. So what can I do short of driving to Joplin or you to someplace that needs help? Let's build institutions that are strong and trustworthy and offer our help through them.
Comments