What God Can Do Through a Good Samaritan

Have you ever met a Good Samaritan? A stranger that noticed your needs, saw you, and tried to help in some way? Some of us might have friends and family who know us and know what we need. They are there for us. But what about a time when you needed something and none of “your people” were there and instead a stranger stepped in to help?

In Luke 10, Jesus explains to a lawyer in his community what it looks like to, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself,” through the story of the Good Samaritan. It’s an interesting story because it covers so much. It touches on loving those in our proximity, loving those who are hurting and helpless, and loving those who are different from us (in this case faith background, ethnicity, culture). It touches on “going the extra mile” to care. Jesus doesn’t just answer the lawyer’s question, but he paints a descriptive image of what it means to love through a compassionate and tender heart. I don’t think Jesus came up with this story without his own intimate knowledge of the love of the Father, and He is teaching us once again about our own heart posture.

Our ministry at Family Empowerment Centers/Redemption Church has placed us in the exact location to notice and serve those in need who often are overlooked and unseen in our community. Often the people we are serving don’t have anyone else. They come to eat, receive support via access to clothing, toiletry needs, winter coats, etc. They also come for prayer, to learn about God’s heart through His Word, and for help with connecting to other resources in our neighborhood (addiction services, additional food pantries, shelters, etc.). One of our guys that comes for the breakfast hour (but doesn’t eat the breakfast) said he comes for prayer and to hear the teaching (We do a ten-minute devotion Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during our Community Mornings). Another gentleman shared that after 20 years his son came looking for him and that now he has an opportunity to repair the relationship – he said, “this is Jesus helping me”. Another friend came through after we helped him into an addiction program and said, “I was dead, but now I am alive. I have been sober for ten months. I know God is with me.” He expressed his gratitude for how God helped him through the ministry here. Lastly, I recently heard from one of the guys, “I was a complete atheist, but time here has me thinking about God again.” 

I know for myself when I get to hear and see how God’s goodness is being experienced by those we serve, my heart feels full and grateful to be a part of what He is accomplishing. We see every day that He is faithful, and we are grateful for all of you who help us accomplish His kingdom work. 

Thank you for your prayers, your financial gifts, your food drop-offs, clothing donations, diaper resources, donut donations and all the other ways you partner with us!