In the biblical story of the shepherd who left his sheep fold to find one lost sheep, we see a true testament to the value of every individual life. Though Americans might not realize it, this Judeo-Christian ethic is still alive in our culture–and we saw it on display in the freeing of journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee.
Held in North Korea since March and sentenced in June to 12 years of hard labor on charges of entering the country illegally to conduct a smear campaign, Laura Ling and Euna Lee’s fates seemed grim. But Americans, no matter our divisions, are not divided on saving one (or in this case, two) of our own, even when it doesn’t appear ‘smart’ to do so. Though I’ve been very critical of former president and Arkansas governor Bill Clinton, he heeded the call to personally intercede on Ling and Lee’s behalf to ensure their safe return home. Clinton was the shepherd for these lost sheep.
It’s events like these that remind me just how much America still values life. Against all logic, we’ll go hunt for one captured soldier, give hurricane victims a place to stay, and even fly into enemy territory to free two journalists whose lives appeared to be finished. I only wish that Americans would recognize more often where this life ethic comes from–because it comes from our rich Judeo-Christian heritage. It comes from God Himself.
Click here for more background on this great American story, courtesy of CNN.com.
