Don Ritchie moved in across the road from the cliffs that overlook Australia’s beautiful Sydney Harbor where he lived until his death back in 2012. The sheer cliffs of what has been called the ‘Gap’ offered the most picturesque views of the Tasman Sea but also attracted desperate men and women pondering suicide.
Living just 200 feet from the edge of the sheer cliffs Mr. Ritchie would regularly approach individuals who were lingering a little too long overlooking the cliffs and would ask them, “Can I help you in some way?” He had a keen sense to spot would-be suicides and became known as the Angel of the gap. Officials credited Don with preventing 160 deaths, but according to his family, the number is actually 400 – 500. He would invite the hurting individuals contemplating suicide to his home for tea.
“I used to sell kitchen scales and then I was a manager of a life insurance company. At the Gap, I’m trying to sell people life.”
“Always remember the power of the simple smile, a helping hand, a listening ear, and a kind word.” – Don Ritchie
Don’s presence saved people’s lives
You are never more like Jesus than when you with great concern (not condemnation, anger, or frustration) intervene with someone in their time of affliction. Your faith is never more real than when you inconvenience your schedule to help someone who is in their time of pain.
“A godless world has no time for the outcast, marginalized, and inconveniences of other people. Jesus’ clear words from Matthew 25 turn our attention to the fact that the ‘ministry of presence is all about not missing the opportunities in the mundane moments of life.” Jeremiah Johnston
The ministry of presence is in the unscheduled moments of life
Busyness can be the greatest enemy of wise thinking and an enemy of mental health. Busyness and distractions definitely define our times. Think of how “On-Demand” is offered from education to entertainment and how we are encouraged to binge on this or that.
Jesus’ own words reflect the tension of being in his presence in the midst of distracting busy living.
“For I was hungry a and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me… and when did we see that you sick or in prison and visit you?…“Truly I say to you, as you do that to one of the least of these you did it to me.” Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus’ parable shows the reality that the most basic needs of people are met by others: food, drink, shelter, clothing, medical help, and care during imprisonment. Jesus shows us that in meeting the simplest needs, even the basic needs of life, He can meet every need in life; however, Jesus uses people. He doesn’t use FedEx or a drone from heaven to your doorstep. God works through people like you and me.
In our extremely busy world, we schedule everything around our calendars. It’s important to plan and be good stewards of our time, however, life-changing encounters occur in the unscheduled moments of life.
God enjoys surprising us with his presence!
May we be more aware of how our presence in other people’s lives can be the very thing someone desperately needs and like Don Ritchie, your presence can bring life to others!
The next blog will continue with how your presence really does matters to someone.
