Connection Church of San Luis Obispo, CA is a liberal, faith based Christian church specializing in ministries relating to college students. We are a descendant of New Life Center in Bakersfield and a Four Square affiliate. ( See the Links section. ) Of course, we not only welcome, but require people of all ages to provide a balanced sense of community. We're a small church with a big heart. Services are held during the school year at the Claiborne's—7:00 PM Sunday. ( See the Welcome and Map & Schedule pages for more information. ) We'd love to meet and worship with you.
What Comes To Your Mind When You Hear...
The Good Samaritan?
I'm speaking on "The Good Samaritan" Parable 4/2/06 and I'd really like to know the basic images or thoughts that come to your mind when you hear the words "Good Samaritan".
When I hear those words I think of someone very kind, which is true, but there's more to the story, and I can't wait for us to talk about it. See you on the 2nd!
Posted by | 2:51 PM
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
3 comments
When I think of the good samaritan I see a normal guy who saw a need and met it not only did he meet it he exceeded it, he didn't care about any racial differences or any cultural differences, probably alot like we should be, but we have a hard time with this, don't we?
Our car broke down on the way to my son's wedding a week-and-a-half ago. There was a big reader board off the 5 approaching Bakersfield that flashed, "ROAD CLOSED AT SUMMIT." We had a breakfast appointment at 10:30 in Hermosa Beach with the new in-laws. We'd slept about two restless hours before starting out at 5:15. Our plan was to drive down the coast, but for some reason we thought, "Let's get there early," and drove out the 46 into the dawn. It was cold and early, and we were thinking about warm sheets and hot cups of coffee. I pulled off at the 58, swung into the Mobil station, and found myself being lectured about huge detours through Mojave, and ways back to Arroyo Grande. Amie caught up with me. We grabbed some gas station coffee which, under the circumstances, was pretty good, and walked back to the car to figure out our options. What we saw was a huge puddle of oil oozing outward into the parking lot. Quarts and quarts of it.
It didn't occur to us at the moment, but if we hadn't stopped... Well, there isn't much between there and Los Angeles.
We called a very sleepy Angela. The sun was peeking out between the clouds, and was now golden bright. She gave us the name of the friend of a friend who had a business on the fringe of Bakersfield, which to us was the middle of nowhere. It didn't occur to us then, either, that if we hadn't known Dale & Angela...
We stocked up on oil and coffee, and took off eastward again. We'd go so far, add oil. Go so far again, and add more oil. We drove up and down unfamiliar streets until, at last, we were there. We were there, but they said there was nothing they could do for us. A young man came out from the back to explain to us that the main mechanics were all off. They were off because the parts stores were closed. We could maybe leave the car until Monday. He was just an assistant to the assistant, filling in from somewhere else. Amie chimed in, "We just need to bond up a hole in the pan." Amie the mechanic. He shrugged his shoulders. "If I could just get the car up..." she said.
Well, you could see a look come over him. A soft smile. "You could use the rack," he said. "I could help set things up." It was obvious he was exceeding his authority. Two people were stranded. It was his job to say no, to be uncooperative, to get back to work. Instead, he was finding a way to help, and his smile was growing by the minute. After another trip around town to gather supplies, he hoisted the car, set up lighting, gave us rags and tools and advice.
We made it to the wedding with five minutes to spare. We called about the breakfast and it turned out to be cancelled. So, when we got there, it was like nothing had happened. The patch lasted until the following day, when we found ourselves in the perfect place to do the job right, and it got us home without incident.
We tried to do something for the young man who helped us. He raised his hands, pushed away money. At last, he said, completely out of the blue, "You could pray for me." He hated his job. He agreed at the last moment to work that day. Almost like he knew there was something he had to do. "Pray for you?" "Pray that I find a better job. I'm tired of being cold. Tired of not being appreciated. Pray for a better job."
The Good Samaritan is the person who does God's work without asking if it's his place in society to do so. God caused the snow that closed the road. Perhaps God pried off the patch so a better one could replace it. It's hard to get a grip on small miracles, but strings of them start to look like there's a purpose behind them. We were two people from out of town who knew not where we were. He was the unhappy low man on the totem pole. Who exactly were the Samaritans? The ones on their way to a wedding? The one standing in the cold?
By the time the car was fixed, the road was open. By the time we got there, there was just time to get dressed and take one deep breath before going in.
This is what I think of when I think of the Good Samaritan. Please pray for the young man who helped us.
All I can say is "wow"! I was so worried about you guys that day because I knew once you left the pay phone area there was no way to contact you. Dale and I prayed for you and our parents as well. I don't know which of you were the "samaritans" that day but God never left your side!
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