I have been in a study the last few weeks that has been all wrapped around the story from Luke 10: - Here is that recorded story~
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'[c]; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'[d]"
28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
The amazing thing for me in this story is that we are often times just too busy. Our schedules and the places we need to get to keep us from pausing in this life long enough to get involved. We pass right by those in need. We pass by on that phone call to cheer up a friend. We pass by on that visit to the sr home to visit that aunt. We pass by because its easier. We just dont make the time but we have the time to do what we really want don't we?
Yesterday after church, Kyle, Madison and I went to get our Sunday chicken and we decided to eat in for a change. Finishing up after a great lunch and great conversation we noticed an elderly couple coming in the door. They must have been in their 80's, they were holding hands and the man being the gentleman that he was, opened the door for her. I smiled and thought how awesome is that! I carry these little prayer cards in my wallet and asked Kyle and Madison to pick one out to give to them. They read each one, as if to say they needed the perfect one and on our way out gave them the card. "God is my strength" was written on that special card. They smiled and we walked out knowing that we probably touched their hearts in a special way today. Here are 2 young people doing something like this in today's time. Awesome - It was also their idea to then go to the senior home and visit some of seniors there. Our one friend and favorite lady had just left for the hospital and that was a little upsetting since they can't tell you if Mary is ok or not. I am praying she is and will be back soon. Being 94 though .... being called home would be ok too. She is such a lovely lady who is always smiling and has had so many stories to tell about her life.
This coming Thursday I am headed to the Center of Hope which is a homeless shelter for women and children. I am especially excited to be part of this, to get lunch, tour the facilty and look forward to bonding my rock group, our student ministry and possibly our church to partner with them in serving these families meals. They dont have anything... remember that next time you brush your teeth. They don't have basic things.
Our churches need to be this object that people see as hope when they see no hope. When people are hurting, people need to see the love and care that a church has for people. God is about people right? The church should be about people. Right where they are - do for them not as a handout but a handup. We should be engaging our young people to get involved and to be reminded that they have it good. Even those teenagers who are flexing that independent spirit but still rely on mom for their toothpaste, food and cell phones. The definition of a bad day is totally different between what hurting place you are coming from.
I have said this before but it just rings in my heart. If people want to know you care you have to show them how much you care. Show them how much you love them. If we are to be Gods hands and feet we have to love people right where they are. No more standing on the side of the road like in the story above. My bond with the students at church comes from being available to them. Authentically available. They know I am there for them. They bank on it. They trust it. They can come to it when they need answers or need a shoulder. Available ..... and willing. Willing to get off the life's highway and get down in the ditch and help pull the hurting out. Its a bridge to grab one hand of Gods to theirs ...we are supposed to do that. Jesus had compassion on people and by them healing them - all he asked was - Do you believe?
If you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord then reach down loved ones and get a hand. There are folks needing that life line and its in your hands. Jesus has the scars on his to prove it.
Our light is to take the love of Jesus to the dark places in this world. Where there is light - there is no darkness.
37:Go and do likewise......
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