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Encountering God
Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37).
Have you ever been in need of a real-life Good Samaritan? Last week, my family met some old friends at Oak Island, NC for a long weekend at the beach. It was a great trip filled with lots of time on the beach, ice cream, putt-putt, seafood, and old stories with friends who have known me for most of my life. The trip went even better than we had planned, but getting there was a different story.
As our family was driving through Asheboro, NC on I-73 South, the van started losing power. It began with a sudden jolt and a flashing sign on the display panel that read, “Check Charge System.” Within minutes the A/C and radio turned off, and the entire instrument panel died. The van was still moving, but like our homes during a power outage, every other system within the van was out. I knew we were on limited time, and frantically searched for an exit. Finally, we found one; but it was an exit with no gas stations, restaurants, or businesses in sight. Moments after taking a right off the exit ramp, the van slowed to a stop and we found ourselves on the side of the road in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere.
As Whitney began to call for roadside assistance through our car insurance, I noticed an older man mowing his yard not too far from where we were stranded. Hoping he might be able to give us a few more options than our roadside emergency number, I approached him and introduced myself. He greeted me with a smile and a handshake. His name was Keith, and he knew the owner of a local repair shop. He invited all four of us to sit down at their outdoor patio table in the shade. Within minutes his wife, Cindy, pulled up with groceries. She began bringing out water bottles, bananas, and packs of nabs.
After the tow truck left with the van, Keith and Cindy urged us to wait with them until the van was diagnosed. We spent the rest of the afternoon with them talking about our faith, church, college football, and all of our North Carolina connections. Once the mechanic called and confirmed the van would be ready shortly, Keith drove our family to the shop and we said our goodbyes. In less than four hours, we were back on the road with a story we will never forget.
I do not recall encountering a clearer example of the Good Samaritan than the one provided by Keith and Cindy. Keith could have easily given me the number to the local repair shop and sent me on my way. I would not have expected anything more. Instead, he and Cindy stopped everything they were doing, used their connections to get us help, gave us a comfortable place to wait, fed us, allowed us to use their bathroom, and waited with us until we were ready to continue on our journey. Despite the inconvenience of our presence and the interruption of their day, they welcomed us like neighbors, cared for us like the Good Samaritan, and treated us like friends.
Later that night the boys asked, “Why were they so nice?” This gave us an opportunity as a family to talk about the story of the Good Samaritan through a real-life example of that today. Almost every night since then when the boys are saying their nightly prayers they add, “And God, thank you for Mr. Keith and Ms. Cindy.” Their kindness did more than help us out of a jam; they gave our two boys a personal encounter with God’s love and compassion in our time of need.
Reading our Bibles prepares us for an encounter with God by helping us to know more about God. But it is only through a living encounter with God that we can actually know a living God. Through Keith and Cindy, our boys were given an opportunity to know the living God who loves and cares for them. It is through these encounters that our faith can become their faith; and according to Paul, it is through faith that they will “obtain access into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” Romans 5:1-2).
The Good Samaritan gave the man attacked by robbers more than help in his time of need. He gave him an opportunity to know God through a real-life encounter with God. The Russell family was given a similar opportunity through Keith and Cindy. What opportunities might God offer you in the coming weeks to actually know him? How might you provide others a chance to know God by giving them an encounter with God?
-- Travis
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