We all live in circles. The family circle. The friend circle. The work circle.
The current pandemic has forced us to pay attention to those circles, and rethink how we interact with each other from afar. Isolation can be lifesaving, but it can also be deadly. We all crave attention in some way, and this doesn’t stop in today’s environment.
As an individual/community/church we must expand our circles. Get creative with ways to reach out to friends and co-workers. After that, go further. Check on another neighbour, and reach out to a former colleague.
I know it's a novel idea, but the Bible has the answer. Be compassionate.
Luke 10:30-35 ESV Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance, a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’
The Samaritan was willing to disrupt his schedule to reach someone new. No expense was spared as he took care of the vulnerable. Would you, like him, be willing to walk a few miles so someone else could get a ride? It might cost you, but the rewards are limitless.
Challenge accepted. Are you in? I’ll give up a portion of my regular daily schedule to help. I’ll spend a bit extra, and even sacrifice a bit of comfort to do my part.
It’s time for an expansion plan!