Where are the Samaritans?

I have had an interesting couple of weeks. Life is changing quickly and slowly all at the same time. I know that may make NO since to you, but if you know me well, you know exactly what I mean. The seeds of possibility are being planted by the minute, but they have yet to bear any fruit... I'm just waiting though, 'cause their roots are deep.

I've really been observing 'ministry' lately. I have a great opportunity to do so as I work full time for one and give the rest of my free time to another. There have also been several conferences held at our ministry center by either different ministers or denominations and I have had a chance to observe.

I have been given great hope for the Body by hearing the hearts of many great men and women. I have watched them interact with one another and have seen how they love each other. I am encouraged to know that there are many who are after God and His heart. I am empowered to know that I am not alone in my pursuit and that there are many different groups of people who are being transformed by the power of God. Where I may have had doubts that the Church can succeed in the past, I now see that there is GREAT hope and I believe that She will become the Bride She was intended to be.

All of that being said, I have also gained some deep concerns that have truly broken my heart and have charged me to say some things that I pray stir you, even stir you to action. After sitting through hours upon days upon hours of sermons and worship services the passed 2 weeks, I can say that, although I do not attend a Sunday church, I have had my fill of 'church' and conferences.

Every sense involved. I have shaken hands with the masses that come in and out of the doors of my workplace. I've seen them in their suits and dresses raising their hands and dance to the music. I've heard them shout and holler when the preacher's voice fluctuates just right. I've smelled the thick cologne of many pastors and bishops and the scent of mint on their breaths... And I've tasted some pretty good food. Church people KNOW how to do food. With all of this feeling going on, and my flesh being so engaged and catered to.... my heart has been left broken and my spirit tired.

In the middle of all this hustle and bustle, 3 people came to my attention that broke the flow of my comings and goings and put everything into perspective again. Let me tell you the stories of these 3 people.

The first, a lady that came into my office. She came in the middle of one of those conferences and she not only engaged my senses... she stirred my heart. She walked in with desperation written all over her. I saw her messy hair and dirty clothes. I shook her dry hand. I smelled her and all that 6 days without a shower brings. And then I heard her...

I listened as she sat in the corner chair and wept. She told me how her husband and her were living in their car and they ran out of gas and money and food. They had no place to go and no one to turn to. She had not slept in a bed or showered for 6 days and she just wanted some help. She told me that they had spent the last of their gas going to 17 different churches in the city. None of which offered them any help or direction. She even asked 2 people that were here for the assembly. Strangely she asked for their help in the lobby, while just inside the sanctuary they were holding a meeting about missions and outreach. They offered her no assistance.

So as she sat weeping in my chair I couldn't help but shed a few tears myself... not out of pity, but out of empathy. I've been there. Maybe not to the extent, but I have been in great need, and made that need known and the need go unmet. I really didn't know what to do... but I knew I could not let her leave without some sort of assistance. I had $22.35 to last me for the next week... but I had shower, food, and a bed. So I gave it to her. I called the Caring Place and they were able to help her out and direct her to where she could get some food, shower, and a place to sleep for a couple nights. THANK GOD for the Caring Place!

The second, a man. He called the office asking for help. He had driven down to Florida to pick up his daughter and her children who were being abused by his daughter's husband. They ran out of money and gas here in Cleveland and were asking for money to get back to Michigan. The man said he had called every church in the phone book and nobody was able to help him, so we were his last resort. All they needed was gas money to get home. THANK GOD for Dr. Lowery. He gave them what they needed to get home.

The third, an old 86 year old man. He's lived in the same house his whole life and it is falling apart. He doesn't want to leave but he can't fix it or afford to pay someone to fix it, so it is about to be condemned. He has many health problems and no family, no friends. He has asked many churches in the area to help him fix his house, take him to the doctor when he is sick, or just come sit with him and read and be a companion to him. No one would help him. Until a lady, who is not a 'believer', went to condemn his house. She was moved with compassion and has been taking care of this lonely old man since she met him. She has wondered why no one else in this town in any church has stepped up to help this man, and then proceeds to say that this is why she doesn't go to church........

WAKE UP!!! WHERE ARE WE?!?!?!?

Yes, I completely understand that there are people who can take advantage of you. But there are MORE people who just genuinely need help. And those who would take advantage... still need Jesus and to be shown His love and compassion.

What are we doing when we are holding meetings that cost millions of dollars just to stand up and say that we are broke and can't send out missionaries anymore?

Why are we spending thousands of dollars on flower arrangements for our conferences so that we can talk about Jesus and the Cross and then turn away someone who is broken and hurting and has serious need that we can take care of if we would just let go of trying to impress and massage each other.

It kills me to talk about all the things that we have in the natural in AND in the spiritual, and then know that there are people who will never know either. And then we complain about the music or the way the Gospel was preached... when there are people who have never heard the Gospel. WHAT IS THE DEAL???

My heart hurts and is frustrated when I think about these things that taint the Body of Cleveland.

Are there people doing good? Yes... I know there are a lot of outreaches... but often only when it is convenient and planned.

Where are those who will help the stranger even when it is inconvenient for them?...even when it's outside of their annual benevolence budget.

Where are the Samaritans?