Who Has Your Back?

If you saw the popular film Forrest Gump many years ago, you'll remember the scene in which Forrest is serving in Vietnam, and his platoon comes under sudden sniper fire. "Lieutenant Dan" orders the unit to fall back immediately, as many GI's drop by Viet Cong fire. Being a prolific runner, Forrest makes it to a clearing and helicopter landing zone before anyone else. He then realizes his friend Bubba isn't with him. Forrest then races back into the jungle looking for his buddy. En route he finds several fellow soldiers on the ground and wounded. One by one he hoists them on his back and runs them to safety. Included among those rescued is their leader, Lieutenant Dan, who orders Gump to stay put and not run back into enemy fire. Nevertheless, Forrest takes off running, shouting, "I got to save Bubba!!" He does find Bubba and carries him to safety, only to have Bubba die in his arms.

When you come under fire in life, who would do that for you? Who has your back when the world around you delivers its worst? Who would be the one who would make sure you don't die alone? For whom would you race into the jungle, with bullets whizzing by all around you?

Some say that the one called Jesus made the ultimate rescue run under fire. They say he did it for each of us. According to the story, it cost him his life. In my observation people don't become followers of Jesus because of doctrines, church styles, the preaching skills of church leaders, music, etc. All of that stuff matters, but it's not the deal-maker or deal-breaker. Lives change because people experience what Jesus did in other people. They meet folks who have their back, and who would run into the jungle under fire for them, no matter what.

Who has your back? I'll see you around the next bend in the river.