On Tuesday morning in Brussels, Belgium, dozens of people were sent into eternity by the bombs of violent people. Amidst the thousands who could be seen running from the scene of the blast, a handful could be seen running toward it. 

Those who run toward danger are usually one of three kinds of people: firefighters, police officers or journalists. We ought to stop and thank God for them. Without them, even more people would die and chaos would reign.

This prompted me to think: Which way will the followers of Jesus run in these days of fear and terror? Will we join the stampede of those who are metaphorically running for the exits? Will we seek to insulate ourselves from danger and talk of erecting walls and implementing bans? Will we join the rising chorus of those who would let fear and hate keep us from being light to people who need Jesus?

In these day of increasing physical and spiritual danger, the church is called by its founder, Jesus Christ, to be the first responders to the crises we are facing today. We are asked to run toward the crisis, not away from it. Of course, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t oppose violent actions and seek justice. We must. But having a gospel-driven response means that we will run in the opposite direction of the majority. 

Becoming a first responder is possible if we embrace the very people whom others fear. While our political leaders do everything within their power to protect lives and prevent bloodshed, we, the global church, should do everything within our power to love and befriend the many people who are alienated by the actions of a few who share their religion.

Befriending someone different from us — someone we may even fear — is possible through the power of God’s love in us. We are reminded of this in 1 John 4:18-19, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us.”

Because Jesus first loved us, let us love others. Because Jesus first loved us, let each of us befriend a follower of Allah in our communities. Because Jesus first loved us, let’s fight against our natural inclination to run the other way.

If we do this, two changes will occur: It will change how we feel about them, and it will change how they feel about us. Muslims currently make up approximately 1% of the U.S. adult population, or 3.3 million (Pew Research Center). By the most conservative of estimates, true Jesus-followers outnumber them 10 to one (Operation World).

Jesus-followers can change the world — but only if we will respond in fearless love. Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” We can avert a far greater disaster, but only if we run in the right direction.

Which way will you run?

Dale Losch joined Crossworld as a disciple-maker in France in 1988, and has served as Crossworld’s president since 2009. He loves to motivate people to use their God-given passions to make disciples wherever life happens. Hear more from Dale.