Devotional - Good Samaritans

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: Love your neighbour as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these. Mark 12: 30-31.

An incident at my office last week was a marvelous example of loving your neighbour in action. A bride had travelled to Jamaica from overseas for her big day - her wedding day.  I imagine that she had, like many brides to be, visions of the perfect wedding day floating around in her mind. However, this was far from the reality on the actual day. As the saying goes, there is many a slip between the cup and the lip, and so, though she thought all the arrangement and preparation had been made, a major hiccup surfaced on the appointed day. Frantic, she sought help from the relevant department, but none was forthcoming.

Some of my colleagues realized what was happening and immediately sprang into action, pulling out all the stops to help a stranger in need. Talk about being your brother's keeper! A number of issues were identified, but nothing was too difficult for my colleagues to tackle. When there was a problem with the completion of the wedding bands, a coworker who knew a Pastor came to the rescue and his services were utilized. Where there was need for something to eat, food was provided. Where there was a wardrobe malfunction, needle and thread were provided.

What an outpouring of love and support for a complete stranger! This story equates to the familiar Bible story of the Good Samaritan who stopped to help a total stranger, who had been ignored by others who passed that way before. He was not asked for help, but he saw a need and responded out of a heart of love.

True love goes the extra mile without counting the cost. It is others-centered, not self-centered. Your neighbour is not limited to the person who lives or works beside you. It extends to anyone in need in your sphere or who you come across. And you do not need to be asked for help. Use your initiative. If you see a need, do your best to fill it, once it is within your power to do so. Give without expecting to be rewarded. Then you will experience true joy as it is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)

The Good Samaritan had nothing to gain materially from offering help. Neither did my colleagues. But they stepped outside of their comfort zone and helped anyway.  Do not miss the lesson in this teachable moment. Do good in all the ways you can, to all you can for as long as you can. When you do your acts of helpfulness, when you give of yourself and your resources, it will be given back to you full measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over ( Luke 6:38).

Shalom!

Reflection

Is there someone who is in need of my help?  What kind of help can I offer that individual?

Prayer

Father, thank you for the blessings that you have bestowed on us. Open our eyes to see those around us who are in need and help us to share our blessings with them. Thank you that we are blessed to be a blessing to others. In Jesus; name. Amen.