the inconvenience of the good Samaritan

Helping people has become fashionable.  And easy.  Click the donate button.  Share a picture.  Drop a can of food in a box.  But what about when what is needed is not easy or simple.  We look at our calendar and think... I do not have the time it will take to resolve this issue.... I already have so many other responsibilities.... I'm already doing x,y,z....

But here you are anyway, presented with this need, this opportunity to show that you love God above all else and that you love your neighbor more than yourself.  It is an opportunity to worship through sacrifice.

We do not serve a harsh and cruel God but One who IS LOVE.  He does not call us to sacrifice to make us miserable but to give us life.  At first look of a situation it will seem to be the opposite.  We often deceive ourselves with this lie... If I engage in serving, in helping someone, in giving of all my time, my energy, my money,  it will take life away from me.  This is a lie from the enemy himself.  True life and freedom are found when we lay down our own life and allow God to love others through us.  

I have been wrestling with the story of the Good Samaritan for almost a year now.  In this story we see a priest and a levite who pass by a man beaten and in great need of help.  I imagine they had some where important to be, important religious duties to perform, things to check off the to-do list.  I'm sure some of these things appeared to be good things to themselves and to others.  But in this moment, God was intersecting their lives.  He was asking them to sacrifice their to-do and their convenience to join in sharing His love.  Instead of following the path that God had them on, they move to the other side of the road.  If they do not have to actually SEE the hurt, the pain, the suffering - then they can pretend it does not exist.  

A Samaritan.  The least likely to show any compassion.  I love that the scripture says that he was on a journey.  He comes upon a need and rearranges his plans.  He is in the moment. He sacrifices his supplies, his time, his finances.  He does not do only for that moment but commits to seeing this man to health.  He will be back to check and see what else is needed.  

Everyday we encounter people in need of compassion.  May we not pass to the other side to avoid getting involved.  Everyday, through technology, we learn of needs around the world.  May we not turn from the realities of life and hide claiming ignorance.  May we not be so busy doing church that we neglect being the church.