Making Excuses

Do we make excuses for our disobedience to God’s teachings?

When I read the account of the Good Samaritan this morning I was reminded of an incident in my life that happened years ago.  It still haunts me. That morning, years ago, I was grossly uncaring.  I still shudder when I think of how I failed my fellow man that busy day at the bank where I worked.

I was rushing to the vault to do a task. On my way I passed the main door.  I looked outside. It was a cold winter day.  The snow lay in drifts covering the lawn.  The icy sidewalk glared back at me. I was about to turn away when something caught my eye.  Far at the end of the icy walk a man was slowly making his way toward the bank. He walked with caution, holding tightly to his two crutches.

 Suddenly he fell and lay prostrate on the walk. I sympathized with him and hurt for him but that didn’t stop me from turning away and continuing with my work. I cringe when I think of how uncaring I was.  What a difference I could have made in that man’s life that day.  If I didn’t want to go out on that slippery path I could have at least alerted my fellow workers.

One day a highly religious man confronted Jesus.  He asked Jesus, ‘What does a man have to do to have eternal life?’  When Jesus asked him what he thought, he had the right answer; ‘love your neighbor as yourself’.  But he too made excuses.  He wanted to justify his lack of love or kindness to certain people.  So he asked, ‘who is my neighbor to whom I must show this love?’

Jesus answered in the form of the story of the Good Samaritan.  You help whoever needs help in your space of life.

Living in a big city has hardened me to the needs of the less fortunate. There are so many, many homeless. How can I, one person, make a difference? Many times I am not even aware of the needy because I keep my distance of strangers.  I’m wary of them.  Good Samaritans are sometimes attacked when stopping to help a seemingly victim.

Photo by IndyDina and Mr. Wonderful 
But I’m working at bringing myself to become involved with those in need.  I’m glad to be part of a church that feeds school kids with a lunch bag program.  A group of ladies take a turn to feed the homeless at the Mustard Seed downtown.  Our church is involved in many projects over the year reaching out to help the less fortunate in the neighborhood. God blesses us so we can bless others.

“If anyone is stealing he must stop it and begin using those hands of his for honest work so he can give to others in need.” Ephesians 4: 28 [The Living Bible]
“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2: 4 NKJV

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I want to walk with you spiritually this year, inviting you to read the Bible through from cover to cover; from Genesis 1 all the way to Revelation 22:21.  If that sounds too difficult for you and your kids, you can join in again after you have taken a break or join us for the days you’re up to it.  I promise that you will understand the Bible in a much deeper way if you read it through from cover to cover in a year’s time.

Accept my challenge to read the Bible through in one year chronologically, including the Old and the New Testament.

Today read:
Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19
Luke 10:13-37
Psalm 75:1-10
Proverbs 12:12-14
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