Ridgell's Originals

 I love the story of the good Samaritan.  Who doesn't?  Helping people.  Religious people not doing what they should.  

I hear lots of churches and Christians saying they want to help the needy, the disenfranchised, and those on the fringes.  And there are lots of people to help.  Those in emotional distress, addictions, poverty, ex-offenders, broken relationships.  Everybody wants to be the Christian like that.  The church like that.

Until you realize these three lessons from the Good Samaritan.

Helping people takes time.  The Samaritan had to stop, help the guy, find him a place to stay.  You don't help people in fifteen minutes before or after church.  It takes hours.  

It takes money.  Bills to pay.  Groceries.  Our world abuses the poor.  They need help.  Remember the Samaritan paid for the lodging and care of the injured man.

It takes energy.  It can be exhausting.  The care given.  The trip to the Inn.  The arrangements.  The Samaritan had to be tired.  Helping people is exhausting.

Time.  Energy.  Money.  

But Jesus told us to do it.  It is how we love people.  It is a reflection of our love for God.  

Listen.  Buy groceries.  Be there in the addiction fight.  Give rides.  Help.  Pray.  Speak truth.

Talk about Jesus.

And watch those you help grow in faith, overcome addictions, be baptized, start helping others.

Know you matter.  Make a difference.  Change lives.

Be Jesus.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM