Not so long ago I found myself on my knees after taking a nasty fall. There were scrapes, but I dusted myself off as quickly as possible and went on with my day. I smiled and nodded my way through each conversation afterwards. As far as I could tell, no one around me could detect that I was sore or in pain.
This event made me wonder how often I encounter someone who has an emotional bruise or wound that I am unaware of. Maybe it’s someone who feels hurt after an awful argument with their spouse. Maybe it’s someone who is grieving a loved one. Maybe it’s someone who is anxious about the news they just received.
Naturally I can tell myself that I can’t help anyone if they choose not to share what they are walking through. But what if the signs are there and I just missed it?
In Luke 10:30-35 we find the parable of the Good Samaritan. When most of us read the story, we can easily scoff at the priest and the Levite who ignored the badly beaten man on the road. But if we were to place ourselves in their shoes, what could be some possible reasons that they would choose to walk past this man who was visibly wounded?
“My day has been so busy. I do not have time for this right now.”
“I can’t get my clothes dirty. I’m on my way to an important function.”
“I don’t know him. Why should I help him?”
While this parable is from biblical times, these thoughts certainly have the potential to float around in our minds this very day, don’t they? Is it possible that we ourselves have walked past someone who has been beaten by their circumstances? We tell ourselves reasons why we can’t show empathy. And we proceed with our lives as if we never saw anything.
Like the priest and Levite, I’m sure the Samaritan man had people to see and places to go, but the Amplified version of verse 33 tells us that “when he saw this man, he was deeply moved with compassion.” His eyes AND his heart were in tune with God.
Here’s the cry of my heart: Lord, help me to see the bruises and wounds of those around me. Help me to show concern and love others as you have created me to. Amen.
~Joyce
*Photo credit: Unsplash
