Articles
I've Got Your Back
A relatively new phrase has made its way into our vernacular: "I've got your back." Or sometimes it is interrogatory: "Who’s got my back?" The back is our vulnerable side, our blind spot. The sentiment suggests both loyalty and protection. We are saying, "You can count on me for support; I will defend you from blind-side harm."
Jonathan had David’s back and warned him to flee his father’s murderous rage (I Samuel 20). Esther had all the Jews’ backs when she exposed the wicked scheme of Haman to the king (Esther 7-8). Both the disciples and secular Asian officials had Paul’s back when they prevented him from going to the theater to defend himself before the angry mob (Acts 19:30-31).
What does it take to have someone’s back?
Awareness. We must pay attention to what is going on in the lives of our friends, family and brethren. We must be engaged and thoughtful, recognizing dangers that perhaps they don’t see. "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philip. 2:4).
Proactiveness. This is another fairly modern term and includes the idea of initiative, not merely sitting back and reacting to things but making active choices that establish positive conditions. Sometimes we are oblivious to our own circumstances and, therefore, unresponsive.
But when those who care about us see the danger we are in, we need them to be willing to jump in and help. "But others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh" (Jude 23).
Courage. It took courage for Jonathan to defend David to Saul. Esther balked when Mordecai first urged her to appeal to King Ahasuerus, for even the queen risked her life to appear before him uninvited (Esth. 4:11). But after Mordecai’s wise and realistic answer, this heroine famously declared: "And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!" (4:16)
The whole notion of having someone’s back suggests danger and the willingness to step between that danger and the one we care for.
The Secret Service is quite literally charged with having the president’s back. Agents take great pride in their awareness, proactiveness and courage as they defend him in his travels and appearances. May we also take pride in protecting our brethren.
