How to save a life

A recent segment of the radio show Radio Lab explored a story from Michigan about efforts there to help recover population of a type of bird called a warbler. Part of the plan was to create stands of young trees which is the preferred habit for the birds. One of the methods employed was to selectively burn woodland areas creating space for young saplings to grow. It seems that one of these selective burns was conducted during a windy day. The I'll advised decision led to the fire burning beyond it's prescribed limits. A wildlife specialist working on the project was killed.

In interviews with individuals close to the story, one thing that came up more than others was how bringing back the birds or the lives of the birds wasn't worth the life of the man killed. People had turned the story into a matter of was it worth the cost.

It didn't seem to make sense to me: this line of reasoning. There wasn't anyone playing cosmic chess that resulted in the life of the worker being sacrificed for the lives of the birds. The young man was doing what he (i assume loved doing). He may of even been willing to offer his live to the cause he cared so much about it.

But there was such anger in the voices of the people interviewed for the radio show.

I somehow got some clarity into atonement that I hadn't had before:

Christ came into our midst out of love. That love made him vulnerable to forces in the world that ultimately cost him his life.

Out of that come theological ideas that I can't really understand and that do little to draw me closer to God.

But I understand the venturing into something you love and believe in and care about so much that before you realize it, it's cost you your life.

I not sure at what point I would find my life endangered because of my desire to take on the shortcomings of others so they may better understand God's love for us.

I spend most of my time trying to avoid them.