During World War II, Germany pushed the Netherlands’ government out of power.

The new regime brought with it a great bias towards Jews. New laws stripped them of their radios, businesses, use of public transportation, their ability to purchase food and ultimately, the right to their lives.

The laws were inhumane, contrary to anything a follower of Jesus could condone. God-fearing people all over refused to obey. They helped their Jewish neighbors into hiding, fed them with stolen ration cards, snuck them medications, cared for their infants and risked their lives in doing so.

Corrie Ten Boom and her family ran the underground headquarters for preserving Jews in Holland. Buttons throughout her home warned if authorities were coming. A false wall in her bedroom hid Jews behind it. A verbal code kept communications secret. A radio was hidden under the stairwell.

Corrie created an elaborate system of love — an active, planned civil disobedience for the sake of loving her neighbors. Because of her, an estimated 800 lives were saved.

Obedience to God means living a life of active love. Like Jesus, who offered food and healing alongside His teaching, we too are called to do what is right to those around us.