Modern Day Samaritan

Most of us are familiar with the parable of the Good Samaritan as found in Luke chapter 10.  You know, that story Jesus told about the man who was traveling on a road when he was attacked by robbers and beaten badly.  Not long after, a priest saw this man, but not wanting to become "unclean," or ruin his reputation, he passed by on the other side of the road.  A Levite also chose to ignore this man and crossed to the other side of the road to be able to walk around this man.  Finally, a Samaritan, who was not regarded highly in that culture, saw this man and took it upon himself to help this man, and even paid an innkeeper to take care of this man and his wounds.  Yep, that's the parable I'm talking about.

Jesus told us to let this be an example of how we are to treat others.  And yet, there are so many people around us every day that we often don't give a second thought.  I'm thinking of that quiet girl who has a locker next to yours, that homeless man you drive by on your way home each day, and that lady at the grocery store who is embarrassed to put an item back because she can't afford it.  Do we go to school with them, work with them, or know them?  Sometimes, but not always.  However, that doesn't make them any more different from you and me.  They have families, friends, lives, and stories, too, just like you and me.

You may be thinking something along the lines of "I don't have extra money or anything like that."  Or, the more straightforward and possibly more honest, "I don't have time to stop and help everyone.  I'm a busy person, after all."  No matter what the reason is, the question remains the same.  "What am I supposed to do to help?"

You Can Always Pray

Some of the most important words anyone has ever said to me are, "can I pray for you?"  Or sometimes a "how," asking for more specifics, precedes the rest of the question.  I always accepted, gladly, because I knew not only the power of prayer, but also the fact that the people asking that question asked it because they truly cared about me.

Even if you don't have money to give to a person who needs it, you can always pray for him.  Ask specifically what he wants you to pray for.  Even better, ask if you can pray for him and with him then and there.

Maybe you are afraid of praying with someone else, especially someone you don't know.  You don't want to mess up, or say the wrong thing.  That fear is understandable; I get where it comes from.  However, I also know that God is greater than our fears, and that He can give you the right words to pray.

I'm not saying this is going to be easy.  In fact, I can almost guarantee you that it will be difficult, especially the first time.  It's a matter of stepping out of your comfort zone.  But I can also tell you that in the long run, it will be worth it.  This could be the beginning of a long-lasting relationship.  But even if you don't develop a new friendship, you can find that feeling of satisfaction from helping someone, from giving him hope, and I can tell you that in itself is a great reward.