Joy-robbers hide all along the way, and before we know it, they attack us, leaving us beaten, bruised, and half-dead. I've been on roads like that - roads I never expected to travel, but simply because of the destination at the other end, found there was no other way to journey. Some make it unscathed; many (probably most) do not. It's best not to travel those types of roads alone; there is safety in numbers. It's great when we get to have traveling companions; encouragers, cheer-leaders, partners who push us up the steep grade... Yet, every now and then, for whatever the reason, we attempt the journey alone...
Such was the case of the man who had to go from Jerusalem down to Jericho in one of Jesus' most famous parables. He had to go. The road from point A to point B was known to be dangerous (see picture above). There was no other way to get to Jericho, and for some reason, he traveled alone (perhaps there was no other option). The inevitable happened. The ever-present bandits, who hid along the precipitous, arduous, dry, and dangerous trek, attacked. They stripped him of everything, beat him, and left him for dead. Others passed, saw the man, didn't want to get involved, or in their defense, didn't have time to get involved, so they walked to the other side of the road, ignoring his plight. However, the least expected passerby stopped, filled with compassion: The Good Samaritan.
This isn't a blog about "the least expected" man who helped the un-named journeyman. It's about the fact, that at one time or another, in the midst of our arduous, steep, dangerous roads, when we find ourselves beaten up, robbed of our joy, and bloody messes, we, too, need Good Samaritans who tend to us with compassion. Good "Sam's" who aren't afraid of our messiness. Sam's who bind up our wounds, anoint us with whatever "oil and wine" we need for recovery, and sacrifice time and resources to care for our spiritually beaten-up souls. Good Sam's are hard to find in today's world. Maybe it's because of fear. Perhaps it's because of time restraints. Very possibly it's because of ignorance - we just don't know what to do to help. There's even the probability that the "body" is so well-hidden that those who pass by, don't even see the need. Undoubtedly, there are good reasons for the fact that there aren't many Good Samaritan's, or Nathan's, for that matter, to be found in today's church...but, I do have to wonder why they are so rare...
Just as there were qualities to look for in a Nathan, those GS's, who take the time for the wounded, have their own skill set. They are:
-Merciful and full of compassion.
-Gifted with thoughtfulness, service, and "helps".
-Selfless.
-Overlook cultural taboos and prejudices.
-Sacrificially generous.
-Practical and resourceful.
-Willing to go out of their way
-Comfortable taking time for the inconvenient; and, they see time as opportunity.
-Educated in how to wash wounds with the "water of the word" and anoint with "oils" that balm the soul
-Non-judgmental (there was no condemnation, or "what were you thinking?" comments)
-Willing to follow up
Truth is we all need Good Samaritan's in our community. I have needed one or two, and, frankly, in my hour-of-need, it has often been the least expected. They've come just in time, and their words were medicine for my soul. They made the recovery possible. I am indebted. Their actions made this not-naturally-thoughtful-individual want to pay closer attention to others who may be hidden along the roadside. I'd like nothing more than to pay-it-forward for someone else. So, truth is, not only do we need them, we also need to be one... Good Samaritan's are true JOY-RESTORER'S!
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