On February 6th, after leaving the gym, I switched on the car radio only to learn that the former president of Chile, Sebastian Piñera, had died in a helicopter crash in the nation’s southern lake district. The 74-year-old dignitary was piloting his own aircraft when it went down in a lake shortly after takeoff for reasons yet undetermined. He had urged the other three passengers—one of whom was his sister—to jump to safety while he tried unsuccessfully to extricate himself. He died as he had lived—with command, courage, and concern for others.
This wasn’t the first time his instincts to save others had kicked in.
On August 5, 2010, 700,000 metric tons of rock caved in, trapping 33 Chilean miners nearly half a mile below ground. The prospects for survival were dim but newly-elected President Piñera remained undaunted. Piñera combined his concern for the miners and their families with his unmatched ability to rally world-class talent and technology to address a seemingly futile situation. Sixty-nine days later more than 1 billion people around the world watched the miraculous rescue of the miners on live TV.
A few days ago, Karen and I watched the state funeral with a lump in our throats. Some of those who had been Piñera’s staunchest political opponents in life spoke with genuine respect about his courage and public service. These tributes were moving, especially in a nation with a history of deep division. Whether one liked him or not, Piñera was recognized as a man who put his country first, especially in overwhelming times of crisis.
The service challenged me to ask myself, “How willing am I to put God’s Kingdom first in service of others?” One of the first verses I memorized over 45 years ago was Jesus’ exhortation in Matthew 6.33, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”
When life is over, the only thing that will matter is how we are received by our King. Would that we might hear, “Well done good and faithful servant.”