If I could only explain the magnitude of how much it means to people that we reach out and help them, you would do this with every person in every moment of every day. Currently, my wife and I are housing a student who needed a little push in the right direction. We have worked diligently to be in a position to help others and we get this weird look from people when they hear of our position or “timing”.
I thought it was important to process what we are thinking and write it down for those who may be curious. My wife and I live by a simple rule; Love God, and love others. Everything else in our world seems to align with this common goal. Our hearts ache for the moment we get a chance to do either. We lean heavily into God. We love heavily into others. So, knowing a little bit more about the situation and what my wife and I treasure might shed some insight into why it is so easy for us to readily take our cramped apartment and open it up to someone in need. It is simple: we love.
Now nothing comes without hardship and flexibility, so do not make us out to be saints. But I wanted to blog about this to ask a very important question: How many times have we seen someone in need of help and walked on by? How many times have we succumbed to the “look” we get from people when we tell them what we are thinking? You have seen this look. The look that says you are crazy. The look that tells you its a stupid idea.
Recently we looked at the story of the Good Samaritan. I know I know, but stick with me. If you do not know the story it is found in Luke 10:25-37 (In the Bible). It is the third book in the New Testament. Basically what happens is this dude is in need of help. He gets attacked by robbers. They beat him up, they rob him, and he is pretty much in trouble. He cannot do it on his own. A priest comes by, and passes by. When Jesus told this story he did not include this but I bet he passed by because he had another appointment or he probably got the look. A Levite found the man, and did the same; he passed by. Then this Samaritan, which back then was a hated “breed” or race of individuals, came into the scene and found the man. Luke records that the Samaritan took compassion on him. The story ends with the Samaritan going above and beyond what was necessary to take care of the man. Read it! It is an awesome parable.
Now parables were stories that Jesus used to illustrate a point. Here is just one of the many points I think Jesus was illustrating. Of all the people who were given the look in this story, the Samaritan had the least to lose by passing by. He was already hated for being born, why not just let him go. Then there is this big word: COMPASSION. It hits like a rock to the chest.
This gets a guy like me thinking… what happens in a world where we are void of compassion? Does the man lay there forever? I mean a priest and a Levite walked by! Those were like the “pastors” of the day. Those were the dudes that worked in the temple! Compassion was shown by the least expected. It was not shown because of his status, or his ability, it was shown because when there was a need needed, the Samaritan met it. End of story.
So the next time someone gives you a look for doing something absolutely and positively crazy… you do not need to check the mirror for any sparks of crazy. You are probably right on track with what you should be doing. A world without compassion is like a child without a mother… it may not survive.
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Food for thought: Have you been passing by? Have you been giving up opportunities to help someone in need with excuses like “I cannot afford it” or “It’s not the right time in my life”. Let me ask you this… is there ever a wrong time to do the right thing?
leadershape 