Gò0dNews for Everyone
Go And Do Likewise
H
by Amy Scott
ave you ever been in a situation where you needed
parking lot by my birth family, and I let out a cry at the
encouragement or found yourself in an emergency,
time that the maintenance man was nearby, and he stopped
and because of the kindness of a family member,
what he was doing to climb in the trash compactor and
friend, or possibly even a stranger, you suddenly had
rescue me—a newborn, helpless infant—and according to
hope? My prayer is that everyone has experienced this—
newspaper reports, I was deemed healthy at the hospital
particularly experiencing the kindness of a stranger at an
and thought to only be a few hours old. This is just one
unexpected but much-needed moment. It is very humbling.
(really big) instance where someone intervened at my
As I reflect on life, I think about the way it is so easy for
moment of great need and changed my course. Can you think
me to be self- or inwardly focused. I strive to accomplish
of times when your paths have changed because of the intervention
everything in the most efficient manner possible. I operate
of another person?
off a to-do list, and I don’t even go in the store anymore and interact with people if I can help it, thanks to Amazon and Instacart. I make choices that ensure I experience the least amount of pain and the greatest amount of pleasure. Oftentimes, I may not even notice the people around me because I am listening to a podcast or thinking about the next big decision that I have to make. I barely know my neighbors. When I find myself in a moment when I have to rely on the kindness of another individual, I feel anxious about asking for help because I know how I feel when I have to change my plans to accommodate others. Can you relate? But Jesus shows us a better way to live as we are
When I reflect upon my story, I want to be like the maintenance man. I want to have my ears tuned to the
challenged to love our neighbor with the Parable of the
world around me so I can hear the cry of the person in need
Good Samaritan.
and respond in a helpful and loving way. I want the Lord
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man
to open my eyes to who my neighbors are, and I want to
was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went
prioritize others before myself. I don’t want to strive for
to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.
comfort. I want Jesus to order my steps. Will you join me in
‘Which of these do you think was a neighbor to the man
praying for Jesus to make you and me more like Him as we follow
who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law
the lead of the Good Samaritan?
replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, And I think about my own life. You see, at the time of my birth, I was left in a trash compactor in an apartment
36 // April 2020
About The Author
‘Go and do likewise.’”
Amy Scott is the Executive Director of Bethany Christian Services of Greater Chattanooga. She is an adoptee who passionately serves the adoption community for over ten years. Amy resides in North Georgia with her husband and three daughters.
