Listen

On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had dropsy. And Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not?” But they were silent. So Jesus took him and healed him, and sent him away. Then he said to them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a sabbath day?” And they could not reply to this.

Luke 14:1-6

Think

When should you do good? That is the question I think Jesus was asking. When should you help someone? His answer is simple: whenever you encounter a need.

In our culture, we often have to schedule times for doing good. We set up a mission experience or service trip; we set aside a Saturday to serve at a soup kitchen; or we volunteer to tutor younger students. All these things are good, but what about when we encounter a need in the course of our day? I think Jesus is inviting us to be more present to those around us. If we see a place to help, to be kind, to show compassion, Jesus invites us to do just that. Sometimes we need to put our own lives on hold so that we can show love to others.

Andrew Kellner

Pray

God, it is hard to see the needs of others and stop to help. I get wrapped up in my own day and my own desires. Help me to develop the habit of helping by putting others first. Help me in even the small ways to show kindness to all. Amen.

Go

Go now knowing that God knows you inside and out.
Go knowing that God accepts you and is redeeming you.
Go knowing that God has given you all you need
To do and become all that God intends.

You are a work in progress
And your Creator is at work in you still.

Trust the Maker’s hand.