This is not my normal uplifting and encouraging message, but I felt this in my spirit that I had to discuss it. Because I think we need a heart check and a time check in our lives and in our society.
In Charlotte, NC there was a beautiful young Ukranian immigrant named Iryna Zarutska. From my understanding, she had just finished a shift are a local pizza place and was taking the train home. Pretty standard. I think most of us can relate in some capacity. Getting ready to head home after a long shift. She takes a seat and begins scrolling on her phone awaiting for her stop.
She didn’t have any realization that the man behind her, an unhinged insane individual who has been arrested 14 times, but released each time, was about to pull a knife and stab her in the neck 6-7 times. Then he proceeded to wander around the train, the blood dripping from the knife he still held in his hand stating that he “got that white girl.”
Now, this is an absolutely horrific story that I have been hearing and unfortunately watched the disturbing video of this fatal instance. This story hasn’t been much on any main stream media, which is in itself completely sad, but on other media platforms. So I looked into it further.
Many are stating that this is due to bad policies, others say mental health issues and the like. That may all be true and as terrible as this crime is, there is one other thing that horrifies me slightly more.
There were many people on this train. Not one person moved to help. Not one person went to stop the man. Not one person went to stop the bleeding and possibly save her life. They saw it. Their reactions say it all. But then several won’t bother to look at her after the fact as she is crying and bleeding. No one called 911, instead one person had the gall to take pictures/video while this one bled to death. Her blood literally pouring out onto the floor.
For 1 minute and 35 seconds, according to video records, people stood by and did nothing while Iryna died. Her blood pooling around her and all over the floor as she slumps down and that breaks my heart.
I don’t know if it has been cases like Daniel Penny that have caused people to be timid about helping others, but that excuse (cause that’s all that is) especially doesn’t work here. The man was gone. He was wandering around other cars with that bloody knife and that poor woman was bleeding and crying until she passed out and no one did anything to help her until it was too late.
And then we have the police chief of Charlotte stating to have compassion for her murderer because he was a homeless man that had mental illness.
I remind you, he had been arrested 14 times prior. This senseless act could’ve been prevented.
But that’s not even what I wanted to talk on, because I’m still floored at the lack of compassion for the victim from those on the train (and some of the media, but that’s a different story). She had no one help her, only people watching and in some cases recording or taking photos.
What has happened to our society?
When did it become acceptable to just sit there while a woman is hurt, injured, dying and not help?
Jesus told us to love our neighbors like we love ourselves. To treat them the way we would want to be treated. Who are our neighbors? Those around us. If I was stabbed, I would hope that someone would attempt to help me and I hope that I would do the same for others. Doing whatever I can despite my lack of medical degree to help still that bleeding or at the very least, let that person know that someone is there to care for them, hold their hand, and tell them that Jesus loves them.
That’s what hurts my heart for Iryna. She had no one there holding her hand. She was stabbed and scared. Not sure what was happening or why. And seeing everyone there just ignoring what was going on. Ignoring her.
Have we lost focus on what’s important and instead just keep our nose in our phones that we can’t help those in need around us?
Shame on us. This is not the way we are called to live. We are called to help one another.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:4
We need to start going out of our way to show love for those around us. Put the phone down, it’s okay! It’ll be there later. That game can wait. That news story can wait. People, time with people, caring for people, needs to be made more of a priority again. We need to start bringing back a community that cares and loves for one another because no one should die on a subway with others turning away and doing nothing. Or worse, just taking time to video so they can get clicks on their social media.
Let’s be a people of action. People that care for others.
35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
Matthew 25:35-40
1 minute and 35 seconds of someone coming to the aide of another could’ve changed the outcome for Iryna. We don’t know for sure, but it could’ve. If nothing else, it could’ve given her a peace as she left this world that someone cared for her to try and help. That could’ve saved a woman’s life if the one man had stopped filming long enough to jump in and stop the bleeding that was seeping onto the floor.
How much time do we spend each day browsing through social media? Looking at YouTube reels? We need to do a heart check.
There are 1440 minutes in a day. How much of an impact could we make if we took even 1 minute and 35 seconds to help the lives around us? It’s such a small number, but in regard to Iryna, that 1 minute of one person helping could’ve saved her life.
angelaschmeling 
One response to “1 minute 35 seconds”
So very true~ Nobody should watch somebody else die and do nothing! It makes one wonder what is happening to our world and culture and we definitely do need to do a ‘heart’ check. It would be so disillusioning and scary except but ~ BUT for God, let us turn our hearts back to Him who alone can make the difference ✝️
Rely on the LORD! Be strong and confident! Rely on the LORD!
Psalms 27:14 NET
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