Take the story of The Good Samaritan. Today, I heard it more deeply than ever before. The face of the homeless man I've had the privilege of exchanging kind words with came to mind. I'll be the first to admit that there was a time when I'd purposefully fiddle with my radio or act as if I was on a phone call when I drove by someone with an "I'm homeless" sign. Nothing like life to check you on your arrogance! During the time I was unemployed or underemployed, I relied on the kindness of others. Had I not had it, my plight could have been so different. How much more am I responsible to pay it forward.
I'll tell you what meant most to me. I was feeling such internal pressure to let people know that my resolve to do something meaningful with my life wasn't born of irresponsibility or arrogance. I wasn't in need of a pep talk or a "girl you need to find a job talk," though I was always paranoid that this is what people would feel if I didn't find a job soon. My sister didn't only stay present but gave money freely. She'd tell me that she was going to deposit X or Y amount of money into my account. When thanked profusely, she responded simply, "I know your character." I will NEVER forget that. She'll never know how healing that was for me. She didn't need a blow-by-blow of what I was doing with the money or how many resumes I had sent out. She never even asked. She involved herself in helping me get to the next level.
To be Christian is to be Christ-like. To follow the teachings and the spirit modeled by Jesus. He said that the man who fell among thieves, who was robbed, beaten and left half dead is our neighbor. For too long, we've been like the robbers, seeing other people merely as objects. We've imposed our will on others and if they failed to meet our expectations, we've retaliated by insulting them or walking out on them. For many single women, we feel like men owe us. We have reduced them to fulfilling some fantasy that we've somehow convinced ourselves is a standard when in truth it is a wounded ego working itself out on another person.
And then there is the priest. The one who in Biblical times was responsible to offer up sacrifices on behalf of the people. He was the one who went to God on our behalf. How could a priest see him from a distance and decide to cross to the other side? As the pastor said today, "It's because he saw the man as an obstacle."
Lastly, there was the Levite. The Levites served the priests and were sometimes priests themselves. They were very active in the Tabernacle and in Temple services. They were the singers, the musicians for Temple Services. They often maintained the Temple itself. They served as teachers and judges on different occasions. Doesn't that sound like the modern day church member? Consequently, the Levite walked over to take inventory of the situation. He saw the man's condition. Still, he walked to the other side.
Surprisingly, a Samaritan, the reject of the day was the only one who had compassion on the man. Samaritans were regarded as second class, mixed breeds, Gentiles. They were outcasts from the religious community and the Jews of that day looked down on them. Who would have thought that this man would tend to the man's wounds and pay someone to attend to the man's needs for as long as it took.
I'm not suggesting that we risk our own safety. There are some people and situations that it would be unwise to approach. I am more concerned about the condition of our hearts. We pass people every day. In our churches, in our communities, on the street are neighbors whom we ignore. Our neighbors are friends that we know are going through tough times and somehow we convince ourselves that being a listening ear is enough.
True compassion is active. True compassion gets involved. True compassion can't see a brother in need and "shut up their bowels of compassion."
Nobody demonstrated this like one of my college friends whom I had not seen in several years. When I posted a "help me" message on Facebook, she sent me a private message. The compassion I experienced was beyond what I had come to expect. She called to check on me, brought me food, listened as I cried and did it without getting tired. She encouraged me to be true to myself. Such a big heart. The irony was she was unemployed and dealing with medical challenges herself.
Today's message at church was a reminder that getting a job was not what this detour in my journey has been about. God could have given me a job at anytime. This season wasn't about that. It was about my purpose. It was about a wake up call. I experienced a new depth of compassion and acknowledgment. Someone stood with me against all odds. Likewise, part of my call is to stand with others. To have a ready heart to step to the plate when God reveals him or her. Circumstances do not determine the value of a person no more than their skin color does. Herein lies compassion: seeing another as an extension of yourself. The Samaritan didn't see an object as the robber did or an obstacle as the church leader and church worker did. We can easily pass by people if we don't see a connection between them and ourselves. The Samaritan saw himself. He was loving his neighbor as himself.
