Corrie Ten Boom and Forgiveness

Corrie ten Boom is someone who used her faith to do extraordinary things for others. I found her to be a very admirable person through her numerous courageous acts. Throughout World War II, Corrie ten Boom did what many others were not brave enough or willing to do and sacrificed her own safety in order to help others around her. She changed many lives forever and her selfless acts should not be forgotten. I admire Corrie ten Boom for her courage and commitment to serving others through her faith during difficult times. Corrie ten Boom used her faith as motivation to help others in need. Boom had what seemed like a normal, quiet life in her early years. She grew up in a Christian family and lived in the Netherlands throughout her life (Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch savior, n.d.). Boom was born into a family of Dutch watchmakers and she also became a watchmaker later in her life (Corrie ten Boom, 2015). Along with her family, Boom was able to live a very comfortable and stable life in the Netherlands, yet she continued to strive for more by helping others. Boom and her family were encouraged by their faith to provide food, money, and sometimes even shelter to those in need (Corrie ten Boom, 2015). Boom was not required to assist those around her, but she felt compelled by her faith to do so. A very important aspect of Boom's background is that she lived through World War II and witnessed the Nazi's terrible treatment of the Jews (Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch savior, n.d.).

While others were fleeing and many were too frightened to resist the Nazi regime, Boom and her family did something truly amazing. When the Nazi's began to raid the Netherlands, Boom decided that she could not watch what was going on around her and do nothing. She used her family's home as refuge for Jews who were being hunted by Nazi's and allowed them to hide in a closet for shelter (Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch savior, n.d.). Unfortunately, Boom was found out by the Nazis and taken to a concentration camp with her family where they later died before Boom was released for unknown reasons (Corrie ten Boom, 2015). Corrie ten Boom lived through a very important time in history and she was brave enough to save numerous lives while risking her own safety. Corrie ten Boom's faith inspired her to perform many brave and selfless acts throughout her life. Boom had to make a significant choice while the Jews were being persecuted in the Netherlands and as a Christian, Boom felt compelled to be more than just a bystander. Selflessness is a crucial component of being a Christian and it is taught to be as selfless as God was when he gave up his only son. In the Bible, John 3:16 says For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (New King James Version). Boom displayed this same selflessness when she decided to help the Jews who were being persecuted around her. Her Christian faith not only encouraged her to help those around her, but it also taught her the importance of forgiveness.

Forgiveness is also a key concept that is taught in Christianity. The Bible encourages Christians to forgive others who have wronged them; For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you (Matthew 6:14-15 New King James Version). Years after World War II ended, this verse played a crucial part in Boom's life. As she traveled around Germany and taught others about Christianity, she came face to face with a man who she remembered to be one of the most ruthless guards in the concentration camp she and her family were placed in (Forgiveness”Corrie Meets Guard). It was at this time that as a Christian, Boom had a very difficult decision to make. As the guard asked Boom for her forgiveness, images of her sister's death flashed in her mind and she struggled with what to do (Forgiveness”Corrie Meets Guard). While it would have been much easier to continue blaming the guard for what happened to her sister, Boom knew that she must forgive him as she was taught in Matthew 6:14-15 (Forgiveness”Corrie Meets Guard). Through her faith, Boom learned how to be like Jesus and forgive those who hurt her, even when they did not deserve it. Corrie ten Boom displayed a great deal of courage and love throughout her life. I admire what she decided to do for the Jews around her because she could have sat by and watched out of fear, like many others did during World War II.

Instead, Boom used her faith as her motivation to perform selfless acts, such as opening her home to the Jews. By sacrificing she and her family's safety, she was able to change the lives of numerous people by saving them. This would be a difficult decision for anyone to make and Boom was very brave for doing this. She also displayed an immense strength when she forgave the guard that was present at her concentration camp. For many, it would have been much easier to dismiss him and continue holding a grudge. But because of her faith, Boom was able to grant him the forgiveness that he requested. After the war was over, she continued to help others as she traveled and taught about Christianity. I believe Boom displayed a great example of what it means to be a Christian and she showed others how to make a difference in the lives of those around them. Boom led by example of her faith and by doing this, she made a monumental impact on the world around her. Corrie ten Boom was an inspiration for others during World War II. She sacrificed her own freedom in an effort to save others who were being persecuted by the Nazis. She also had to find it in herself to forgive someone who did not necessarily deserve her forgiveness. She performed these courageous acts all while staying true to herself and her faith. Boom made an enormous impact on those around her and those she shared her faith with. Boom turned to her Christian faith during difficult times and this allowed her to save the lives of others and find it in her heart to forgive a Nazi guard.

References

Corrie ten Boom. (2015, April 08). Retrieved April 11, 2018, from https://www.biography.com/people/corrie-ten-boom-21358155 Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch savior. (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2018, from https://www.raoulwallenberg.net/saviors/others/corrie-ten-boom-dutch-savior/ Forgiveness--Corrie Meets Guard. (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2018, from https://sermons.faithlife.com/sermons/41544-forgiveness-corrie-meets-guard

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