Grande Prairie | Who is my neighbour?
Mon, Aug 31, 2009
Nyree and son, Brandon
As I am sitting in my office here at Community & Family Services, I am attempting to write a sermon for church this Sunday. Dave and I decided to do a sermon series on the Parables, so this week is my turn to preach on the Good Samaritan. If you know me at all, I am an organized, methodical person who thrives on planning. I always have my work done ahead of time, and Thursday is the absolute latest I like to write sermons for a Sunday service.
But…this summer assignment has showed me that life just does not always happen like that. I am fairly flexible and like to be spontaneous too, but not when it comes to work. I like to get my job done when it is time. God is teaching me through his people that I need to be open to change. That is a hard lesson for me to learn! I have been busy everyday with sudden crises that arise…the list never ends… and it has my sermon slipping further away into the weekend.
Well, I am writing this on Thursday and have not started my sermon yet…except looking back now I have seen many examples of the parable I am teaching about. I have seen the Good Samaritan this week when he offered to get a cup of coffee for his ailing neighbour, or when she filled in the reception desk for an absent employee, or when our cook served over 100 people for dinner, or when he spent time in prayer with a wounded soul…
Although I have not written a perfect sermon yet, I know that God is using this time to reveal to me new ways of 
reading this story and how it applies to life now. In this parable, the lawyer asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbour?” and the direct answer to the question is “The one who showed mercy.” We need to love like Jesus loves, we need to show compassion to others like Jesus does, and we are called to serve others with mercy like Jesus does. We are all called to help, love, serve, care for everyone- the one beaten in the ditch or the broken souls- are you a Good Samaritan?
Nyree Bond
Tags: Field-Reports, Ministry, Prayer-Warriors
Leave a Reply