Loving Those Who are Difficult to Love
OPENING PRAYER:
Lord, I know I come in contact with people who are difficult to love. Show me how to love them. Amen
“The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”” Luke 10:27-37 NLT
REFLECT:
The theme of the devotions this week is going the extra mile to love those who are difficult to love. A great example of this is a ministry that operates a camp in southwest Missouri called Camp Barnabas for youngsters and adults who have special needs. It truly lives up to its namesake as providing encouragement for many campers with special needs and their siblings each summer. Most of these campers have intellectual, physical, health, and other conditions that make them difficult to love and care for. Each camper is paired with a “missionary” (most often these are young adults who are students) who shepherds him/her through the week. Campers are provided a variety of activities, both spiritual and recreational, suited to their abilities.
The camper’s sibling is also provided a camp separate from the brother or sister. The camp fulfills its mission in three ways. Youngsters with special needs are given a fun week, siblings are provided a time of having fun and spiritual growth away from their sibling, and parents are given respite from caring for a child/adult with special needs. My grandson, who has special needs, and his sister, who has been a camper and missionary, have been truly blessed by this ministry.
APPLY:
There are many organizations which provide these kinds of services in our community. Big brothers/Big sisters, Youth Horizons, and Starkey are a few that I know of who serve individuals that need additional help or care. They are constantly needing volunteers and financial help. Your reaching out doesn’t have to be an organization or ministry but it can be helping a neighbor or friend by relieving them of the constant care of a child or adult who has health or special needs. We need to be like the Samaritan and go the extra mile to help others.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, show me where I can be like the “Good Samaritan” and go the extra mile. Amen