You don’t find a person lying in the ditch on just any day, but this was my day.
As I slowed down, I saw a man lying under a motorcycle. I knew he needed help, but I hesitated. What if there was a terrible injury? Would my son stay in the car while I intervened? What if a car hit me while I tried to help?
I thought through the situation and came up with a plan. I turned on my flashers and instructed my son not to leave the car. I crossed the road with my cell phone in hand. The man was alert. He had spun out and was now pinned with his feet under the handlebars. I lifted the bike enough so that he could slide free. He assured me he was fine and could get back on the road. I returned to my car and headed toward the school.
I never imagined I would live out my own Good Samaritan story. People all around us are stuck in circumstances and need help. Jesus told this story so that we would become aware of these needs and then let compassion compel us to intervene.
God invites us to join Him as He works in people around us. Our job is to be sensitive so we’ll hear when the Holy Spirit brings an individual to our minds. We can also ask God to reveal how we can partner with Him and minister to that person.
We could pack bags with self-care items to share with the homeless. Or invite that struggling coworker to lunch. We could offer to babysit for a single mom who needs a night off. Hurting people fill the ditches around us.
What are some ways you can respond to God’s invitation?
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
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Heather Zimmerman is a minister with the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana. She has been preaching and teaching for over twenty years and enjoys interdenominational ministry. She lives with her husband, son, and two crazy cats. When she isn’t preaching, teaching or homeschooling, she enjoys a hot cup of coffee (or chai) and a book.