Too Busy?

Luke 10:31 - Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. (NKJV)

In the book, The Tipping Point, it tells of two Princeton University psychologists that conducted a study based on the story of the Good Samaritan. A group of Seminary students was asked to prepare a talk on a "biblical theme and then walk over to a nearby building to present it." With one part of the students, the experimenter would look at his watch and say, "Oh, you're late. They were expecting you a few minutes ago. You'd better get moving." He then told the remaining students, " It will be a few minutes before they're ready for you, but you might as well head over now." All of the students ran into a man on the ground, coughing and groaning, as they walked to their destination. The question was: " Who would stop to help the man?" Of the students that were told they "were late", only 10% stopped and of the students that were told they "were early" 63% stopped to help. Surely, all of these students would say that they were compassionate, but when given the choice to be helpful or be "late", 90% of the students had their helping-hands-hindered by schedules and appointments that they would not change, even in the face of one who was suffering. In fact, one student walked right over the man, as he rushed to give his presentation.

We are often amazed at the responses of the Priest and Levite in the story of the Good Samaritan, but what about your response when you see a "need" that needs to be met? How many times have you told someone that you would pray for their need and never got around to it? Are you too busy with things you think are too important for you to change your priorities for - to help those around you, especially those that may not have bones that are broken, but hearts that are?

We are admonished in Galatians 6:2, to "Carry each other's burdens... " Christ on earth always stopped. He stopped by a well to visit with a woman, He stopped to allow His feet to be washed with tears, He stopped when the "road-side" cries for mercy reached His ears, He stopped when His virtue flowed. As Christ is your example, you must be ready to stop and not "walk over" your God-directed moments to help others. Because the only time you should look down on someone - is when you're lifting them up.

It says in Proverbs 12:25, "Worry is a heavy burden, but a kind word always brings cheer." (CEV) So take the time and make the call; mail the card; send the email; or pay a visit.

Because, if you're too busy to help those in need -- than you're too busy.