February 16, 2013
The Samaritan Principle
How many times a day do you miss the chance to lend a helping hand?
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Luke 10:25-37
“Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.”
- Sally Koch
The opportunity to reach out and touch someone with God’s love, could be as close as the next person you encounter, but I wonder how many of us will miss it?
So often, we look for the big things: we pray for the great opportunities to do something major for the Lord: yet we bypass hundreds of opportunities on a daily basis to do things both meaningful and lasting to make a difference in the lives of those around us.
Scripture tells us to those who much will be given; much will be required. I often wonder if we really want to do great things for God: if we might not need to start by doing the little everyday things we often fail to notice.
Sometimes it is the smallest gesture, the softest word or the gentlest touch that can make or have the most lasting and profound impact.
How many opportunities are you willing to miss today?
Today’s Prayer
Father, help me realize sometimes the least of those things I seem to do may be greater than those things I perceive to be the more important. Help me not to miss opportunities to touch others with your love.
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