A death rescue (Day 24, Proverbs)

Proverbs 24:11
“Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.”

It’s been a tough day. Today, we knew she was dying.

Her breathing was shallow and quiet; her eyes were glazed over; she wouldn’t come when called. Terribly abnormal. Our almost 10-year-old golden retriever was “being taken away to death.”

Until we got to the vet’s office, that is. Her adrenaline kicked in, and $250 later, April was much improved. The cause of her original lethargy and slowness? Probably an ear infection and arthritis.

Okay, so she probably wouldn’t have died from those things if we had left her alone. But I couldn’t risk it. How was I supposed to know?

Sometimes people, too, seem to be headed down the road to disaster, a certain death, sinful choices that could cost their life. But we’re not sure. How are we to know? Do we take the risk and confront anyway?

Yes, we are called to actively rescue, not passively watch until it’s too late. Hold them back; don’t let them stumble to the slaughter.

I don’t think I see people close to this death very often. But a left turn here, a wrong turn there, and any of us could slip off the narrow road and stroll along the wide one. We need each other close enough to see the “little” sins, and help each other make the U-turns when needed.

I’m thankful that April is okay. There’s no guarantee that either of us will be tomorrow, but for tonight, we’re both breathing easier.