Good Samaritan
We left early in the morning using two 4-wheel drive vehicles. I drove the lead vehicle and was directed where to drive by one of our national workers. The police told me to drive quickly and not make any stops, in order to make it difficult for bandits to approach us. The road was soft dirt and we traveled about 45 miles per hour. Frequently, we slowed down to avoid hitting camels, giraffes, and donkeys.
After traveling about forty miles, there were no signs of civilization. Therefore, I was surprised when I saw a man walking on the dirt road. “Where is he going? There is no destination out here — there is nothing.” I pitied the man because it was so hot. As we passed him, my eyes met his. I could see that he was weak and was having trouble walking.
As the wheels of the vehicle rolled another 500 feet, many thoughts passed through my mind. I remembered the injured man in Jesus’ parable and the Good Samaritan who helped him. (Please read Luke 10:30-37.) “On the other hand,” I thought, “if we stop for this man, it would put us behind schedule. We had two vehicles of medical personnel and hundreds of people were waiting for assistance only a few miles ahead, and this was only one man.”
Still, I felt compelled to stop. I stepped out of my vehicle and asked Dr. Dan to examine the man. He motioned for a translator. The policemen quickly set up a security perimeter.
The man slumped to the ground as we approached him. Dr. Dan diagnosed the man with malaria and dehydration. He had not eaten for the last four days. Dr. Dan gave him water, food, and the medicine he would need to get well.
We returned to our vehicles and continued. I felt good. I knew we had done the right thing. Again, I thought of the Good Samaritan. The travelers who passed by the beaten man also had somewhere important to go. God impressed upon me the importance of this one individual.
We were in Kenya helping the thousands of refugees who were escaping Somalia during the fighting in their country.
Jesus cares for every individual as a shepherd cares for his sheep. Each of us are important to Him. So, have you had some moments where someone needed help? Did you help, or did you pass them by? Perhaps it was someone in your own family or a friend going through a crisis.
I don’t usually make resolutions for the year. But I will offer this to you as well as myself: Make each year one where you choose to slow down enough to notice that person who is hurting and perhaps poor in spirit. The Lord cares more about these opportunities that we have to make a difference in someone’s life, than where we are going. Where we are going in life will always be there, but don’t ignore someone along the way. Help them.
The bible has many passages where we are instructed to help someone. Proverbs 19:17 (NIV) says,
“He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done.”
Again, not just the one who is hungry, but also that one who is poor in spirit. Jesus speaking about His return in Revelation 22:12 (NIV) said,
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” (Please read Isaiah Chapter 58)
May this be a year where we grow our bank account, not here on earth, but in Heaven, because that is the only wealth, we will take with us.
Blessings,
