Read: Luke 10:25-37
We live approximately five minutes from a community recreation center. They offer a variety of classes on a rotating basis to residents in the county. My sons expressed a desire to learn how to swim, so I signed them both up for classes. One evening as I was waiting for the younger son's class to end, I decided to stand on the platform near the class just out of his sight and watch the remainder of his instruction. There were several classes being conducted in the pool simultaneously with his, and other parents had opted to do the same as I. All of us were focused in on our individual children and their progress.
All of a sudden, the sight of a lifeguard running from his perch and plunging into the water interrupted our concentration. We turned our attention toward him to see what was happening. To our surprise there was a little girl about 6 years of age that had ventured into deep water. She had been quietly struggling for her life . . . right at our feet! We had been so busy focusing someplace else that we hadn't noticed this drowning child, who was not even five feet from where we were standing.
Luke speaks of an individual similarly in distress. A traveler was making his way from one town to another, only to be beaten, robbed, and left to die. Two people came by who could have helped him but were too self-absorbed to do so. A third individual saw the traveler's pain and went above and beyond the call of duty to assist in relieving his suffering.
We encounter hurting people daily, both saved and unsaved alike. These are individuals on the journey of life that have been beaten, robbed, and left for dead by the adversary, the circumstances of life, or even at their own hands. They are struggling to stay above water and not be drowned by the heaviness of living. They quietly tread the waters, minutes from dying, right within our reach. Do we see them? Or are we so preoccupied with our own lives that their struggle eludes us? Jesus asked the expert in the law whom He was addressing, "Which of the three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" The reply was, "The one who had mercy on him." To this Jesus responded and continues to admonish us today: "Go and do likewise."
There is so much pain in the hearts of men, women, and children. Many of them do not know where to turn or what to do. Many, like the traveler in our reading, are just so bruised and battered within that they don't have the strength to even look for or ask for help. But we are the children of God. We are empowered by God's Spirit to render assistance to anyone that we can. We may never be called to the masses in need. But that should not stop us from serving the one person we pass by on our journey today, tomorrow, or whenever.
Let's ask the Lord for a sensitive heart to hear even the faintest, muffled cry for help. Then let's ask that He show us how He wants to use us in the rescue effort.
Prayer
Father, I thank You for the assurance that no matter what comes my way, I am never alone, for You are with me. I ask You today to use me in extending the awareness of Your caring heart to someone where I am who is hurting or struggling for life. Give me eyes to see the need and equip me to serve that person to Your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.
