In a recent power outage, my wife and I had the unfortunate timing of being between floors two and three while riding the elevator. The elevator stopped and the emergency light went on. We struggled to find the emergency button in the dimly lit, claustrophobic space. We found it and a kind voice quickly asked how he could help.
We explained our situation and were promptly freed within 45 minutes from our temporary prison thanks to the man who answered our call. It was great to know that by pressing a button, help was available to solve our elevator imprisonment crisis.
Unfortunately, for far too many vulnerable people in our society, the emergency button does not work, or there isn’t one. In reality, everyone can potentially fall into a state of vulnerability. A change in life circumstance, such as poverty, job loss, physical or mental impairment, alcohol or drug addiction, imprisonment, racism, sexism, death of a loved one and aging can all cause us to need an emergency button. What a blessing it is to have access to a kind voice offering help and compassion.
People facing such life changing circumstances too often face stereotypes, prejudices and excuses that cut them off from opportunities and services that could help them survive, recover or learn to live with a disability that cannot be overcome. Living in a dark, claustrophobic life situation is depressing and frequently leads to an avoidable crisis if there is no emergency button.
We were not blamed for our power outage elevator emergency. Sadly, people whose life circumstances cause them to be vulnerable are frequently blamed for their situation, rather than helped out of it. Blame only complicates and diminishes the vulnerable in our midst.
We may be the emergency button for someone who needs to be elevated to safety. We may desperately need an emergency button that connects us to a kind, helpful person whose voice and actions bring comfort and compassion. Wouldn’t it be great if we could depend on a voice asking, “How can I help you?” We all need assurance and the comfort help brings.
The Bible presents us with many people from the most vulnerable to the most powerful who faced uncertainty and crises. We share that same reality today in our own lives.
God’s love is revealed to us in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Whatever our life situation we can know that we are loved. Our faith is not an insurance policy that protects us from the harmful and hurtful realities of life. Faith is lived out in both wanted and unwanted life situations. Faith is not lived out in isolation. It is a community gift.
Faith calls us to make room for growth. It calls us to be mature enough to give ourselves to others. It encourages us to reach out and elevate one another as God’s valued creation.
Elevator buttons allow us to go both up and down much like life’s realities are a mixture of ups and downs.
May we all have access to a person centered emergency button when we feel stuck. May it be well lit and, when pressed, bless us with a helpful, caring and compassionate response.
• Larry Rorem is a retired Evangelical Lutheran Church in America pastor living in Juneau.
