I heard the story of Ben Larson this morning as I pulled in to the parking lot. Needless to say, I stayed in my van and listened to the end. The fuller, print version with pictures and more audio can be found at. Click on the links (red text on the blog) to hear or see more.

It’s impossible to feel this sort of connection with every person who died or was injured in the earthquake in Haiti. Our brains and our hearts can not handle that. These sorts of stories are good because they put a “face” to the “body” of the victim.

I do wonder, though, if I would feel the same sort of connection if he weren’t white, Minnesota, seminarian…if he weren’t like me. What if he was a poor Haitian rather than a wealthy American? A criminal instead of a pastor? Would I still feel connected? Would I care as much? I doubt it…and that admission saddens me.

It’s easy to love those who are like us (or, I should say, easier). As Jesus said, it’s more commendable to love those who are either not like us or who actually threaten us. I have a long way to go to become the person Jesus would have me be.