Security Guards? Really?

     Have you seen the latest video depicting youth violence in the Seattle bus tunnel? I have been alarmed of late by the growing number of security tapes from school busses, outside businesses in urban areas, and now in a metro bus terminal; videos that depict kids nearly killing other kids (and in the case of Chicago teen, actually doing so). Watching a group of girls pummeling, kicking, and even stomping on the head of another girl should be enough for any of us to become alarmed. But evidently not for three security guards who stood by watching, even nonchalantly, as the girl was beaten nearly to death. None of the three “guards” made an attempt to intervene. I found myself asking out loud, “For who’s security are they there? Who or what are they supposed to be guarding?”
     I was even more appalled when I learned from a Seattle law enforcement official who was being interviewed, that the Metro Bus Company (owned and operated by the county) had contracted with security guards who were instructed to never intervene in situations of violence, only to observe and report. I thought that’s what the cameras were for! Again, for who’s security was the company contracted and what were they to guard if not the safety of their citizens and passengers?
     Then, get this, when doing a Google search on the story to get the details, I typed in “youth violence in Seattle” and the first article that came back was dated a year ago. It outlined a $2 million plan the city and county were throwing money at to curb youth violence. I’m missing something. They want to spend $2 million on a program to curb violence and at the same time instruct “security guards” to just let innocent minors to be beaten and robbed without coming to their aid? What is all that money going to accomplish if citizens are not decent enough to protect innocent bystanders from being hurt and if the government that is doling out that money discourages even security guards from protecting people? Is not this a bit ridiculous?
     And then I shook my head as I thought how so many churches are a lot like that. Quick to dole out money to send to missionaries, overseas and domestically, supposedly to introduce the Gospel to those who do not know Christ, but at the same time doing little if anything to reach the unsaved who live in their communities. As a church, we are in danger of the government’s “just throw money at it” mindset. Jesus told us in the Great Commission to make disciples….that’s for us to make disciples, not just send money to people who are supposed to do that in other countries and communities.
     You know, that $2 million dollar program in Seattle may not be a bad idea. But it will do little in comparison to the Seattle people (and Chicago people for that matter) simply acting decently and coming to the aid of their fellow humans. Helping to support foreign missionaries is not a bad idea either, unless we are not busy living out and sharing our faith with our neighbors, coworkers, friends and relatives. If we become consumed with reaching our Jerusalem, it will be a more natural thing for us to want to expand our witness to Judea, Samaria, and the rest of the world. So let’s first get busy sharing Christ with those we have contact with!