You Can Make A Difference

A young boy, on an errand for his mother, had just bought a dozen eggs. Walking out of the store, he tripped and dropped the sack. All the eggs broke, and the sidewalk was a mess. The boy tried not to cry. A few people gathered to see if he was OK and to tell him how sorry they were. In the midst of the words of pity, one man handed the boy a quarter. Then he turned to the group and said, "I care 25 cents worth. How much do the rest of you care?"

I don't know who to contribute the above paragraph too; but this really gave me something to think about. I also know that we Christians can, and should make "A Difference" in the lives of people. Yes, I know some want let us make a difference, but we need to move out of "Our Comfort Zone" - we will never know until we try. Only God knows what a difference we can make as we trust Him for directions and wisdom to launch out.

I listened to many episodes of "The Lone Ranger" on the old radio as a boy, and this masked cowboy was always the "good Samaritan." As Mother Teresa walk the streets of Calcutta, she was always the "good Samaritan." Princess Diana was a "good Samaritan." The good Samaritan is the legendary figure who helps someone else along the road ... It defines what it means to be compassionate.

I want you to notice in the text that when an "..expert in the law" asked Jesus "what he must do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus replied with the "Parable of the Good Samaritan" (read text), ended by telling him, "Go and do likewise." We don't know the man's name who was beaten, robbed, stripped, left half dead in the ditch. He is simply one of those anonymous victims which are heaped up on the sidelines of the evening news. He was just traveling along and got hurt. Doesn't say anything about his background, but it does tell that the robber took his clothes - beat him, and left him half dead.

What did the Samaritan do? He made a difference! The Samaritan takes money out of his pocket, and gives it to the innkeeper, saying, "Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back." The Samaritan stops his own journey when he sees the need. He responds to the needs of the man bleeding in the ditch, becomes the voice of the victim in the ditch who never utters a word.

But what can I do? Well, to make a difference you will have to move out of your comfort zone May I be so bold to say; "Follow the lead of the Samaritan." He sees, he stops, he goes, he binds, he cares, he gives. He refuses to bow to the power which has so disempowered the beaten man. He showed compassion and made a difference.