Go And Do Likewise

36 // April 2020 by Amy Scott

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. About The Author H ave you ever been in a situation where you needed encouragement or found yourself in an emergency, and because of the kindness of a family member, friend, or possibly even a stranger, you suddenly had hope? My prayer is that everyone has experienced this— particularly experiencing the kindness of a stranger at an unexpected but much-needed moment. It is very humbling. As I reflect on life, I think about the way it is so easy for me to be self- or inwardly focused. I strive to accomplish everything in the most efficient manner possible. I operate 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 challenged to love our neighbor with the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. ‘Which of these do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’”

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 parking lot by my birth family, and I let out a cry at the time that the maintenance man was nearby, and he stopped what he was doing to climb in the trash compactor and rescue me—a newborn, helpless infant—and according to newspaper reports, I was deemed healthy at the hospital and thought to only be a few hours old. This is just one (really big) instance where someone intervened at my moment of great need and changed my course. Can you think of times when your paths have changed because of the intervention of another person?

When I reflect upon my story, I want to be like the maintenance man. I want to have my ears tuned to the world around me so I can hear the cry of the person in need and respond in a helpful and loving way. I want the Lord to open my eyes to who my neighbors are, and I want to prioritize others before myself. I don’t want to strive for comfort. I want Jesus to order my steps. Will you join me in praying for Jesus to make you and me more like Him as we follow the lead of the Good Samaritan?