Now that I’ve been to many places and I’ve met all kinds of people, I wonder. I wonder about the heart behind my actions and I wonder about the heart behind the actions of other pilgrims I’ve met. I wonder about the heart of the good Samaritan. I wish I could see the story play out.
Did he run to kneel beside the man and whip out his smartphone on selfiecam? #serving #humbled #helpthoseinneed
Suppose the innkeeper asked him for a little bit of extra cash to provide for some bandaids or medicine. Did the Samaritan grumble and moan, reluctantly take out his wallet and stuff money in the innkeeper’s hand?
Or did he say “Sure, here’s all I have, take good care of him.”
When helping the man up, did he put his arm over his shoulders to support him as they were walking? Or did he pluck the man up off the ground and say “Hurry up, I can help you but I don’t have much time.”
I wonder if the good Samaritan asked for the man’s name and where he’s from. I wonder if they had a nice conversation at some point.
Do I serve because I have the love of a good Heavenly Father in my heart, and it pours over into meaningful care for others? Or do I serve because I said I would, and it would look bad if I didn’t. Do I serve because I dream to serve others like Jesus did? Or do I serve because “well someone has to do it I guess.”
I am constantly reminded of James 2 (MSG)
“For instance, you come upon and old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, ‘Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!’ and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup - where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?”
“It’s that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named “God’s friend”
I’m preaching to myself here, but I believe it.