We’ve heard the parable of the Good Samaritan many times. Typically when we think about it, we think about how we as Christians are to love and help others. But have you thought about how the Samaritan went out of his way to help a Levite–someone completely different from him?
“He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind;” and “your neighbor as yourself.” ”
It’s easy to develop relationships with people who are similar to us, who have similar interests, hobbies, and backgrounds. Often times our neighbors don’t fit those criteria. What if we talk to the neighbor we have nothing in common with? Initiate conversations with the person at work who’s in a totally separate life stage than you? Strike up a discussion with the person at Starbucks you always see and who seems nothing like you?
We have to get outside of our comfort zones if we're ever to reach people with the Good News.
“Have you ever considered that interruptions and distractions in your life are divine appointments by God?” my pastor said during his message Sunday.
When your waitress at dinner is taking an especially long time, when you’re asked to head up a special event at work, when you’re assigned a middle seat on the flight, when your neighbor you barely know wants to talk as you get the mail, embrace the uncomfortable. Step into those situations with grace and patience. God doesn’t orchestrate accidents. He can use our experiences at any time as a way to spread His truth. We may never know when an inconvenience in our life is actually divinely and specifically created for us.
Head over to longhollow.com for the full post, inspired by my pastor's recent message.
If you want to talk more about Jesus Christ and faith and what-the-heck-is-all-this-stuff, shoot me a message. I love meeting new people, whether virtually or in person, and gabbing about life.
And if you'd like to know more of my story, you can read my testimony here.
Truly, He makes beautiful things.