The Good Samaritan

There is a story that is almost 2,000 years old. The setting was just outside of Jerusalem, near the town of Jericho. A man was robbed, beaten and left for dead. One religious person came upon the scene and simply walked right past the hurting man as if to say, "good luck man; I've got more important things to do." A temple worker by trade came by and did the same thing; he walked past this desperate man and said something along the lines of, "Hey brother, I will be praying for you!" Seriously, how ridiculous. Well, a third passerby, an outcast of Judaism called a Samaritan, came upon the horrific scene and thought, "Wow, I'd better help!" He dressed the man’s wounds, took him to a hotel, fed him and put him up for the night. He even told the hotel owner if he needed more help, he would stop back by and personally pay the bill! Thus, the story of the “Good Samaritan.”


I love Friday's; in fact, I call Friday my “free therapy day!” I am blessed to travel as a Chaplain with my pal, Officer Richard Hannibal. Usually, one or two arrests are made, a car stop here or there; an occasional burglary, and typically a medical call or two frequent our day together. I totally enjoy watching Richard and the MBPD do what they do so well, protect our city from the bad guys. Well, it is in between these police calls that Richard and I engage in great conversation and, intentionally look for a Good Samaritan moment. A few weeks back, we had an opportunity to replicate the story above...check it out.


Richard was contacting some homeless folks who live along side Morro Creek. He was told that a female in one of the camps may be sick or injured. Richard immediately determined a welfare check was needed and we trudged into the creek, carefully avoiding the poison oak. We came upon a tent that had a couple spots of what looked like blood on the canvas. Richard shook the tent and announced that the MBPD was present and that he would like to talk to the occupant. A 20-something woman emerged from the tent with a swollen nose and minute traces of dried blood on her face. When asked, she said she fell down during the night. Richard interviewed her about her injury, but she insisted she fell down. In our hearts, we knew better, but without her cooperation, a crime could not be determined. After ensuring she was okay and her male tent-mate was nowhere in sight, Richard and I began sharing with her how truly valuable she is. I shared that she was a “Princess” in God's sight and she in no way deserves to be the punching bag for anyone. Richard told her she had a bright future and to start believing in her abilities. Well, long story short—Richard had to arrest the woman for outstanding arrest warrants. However, the drive to the jail had “Good Samaritan” all over it. In fact, the female correctional officer at the jail took one look at this precious 20-something gal and intuitively knew there was hope for her. The correctional officer said, "You and I are going to have coffee and talk; I'm going to help you get out of this cycle of brokenness!" This young woman was eventually released from jail and now living with a girlfriend in a “real” house. Her male tent-mate left town while she was in jail, hopefully allowing her to turn her life around.


A few hours later, we were patrolling the launch ramp parking lot on the Embarcadero. We came upon a humble man who was collecting plastic bottles, aluminum cans, etc. to make a buck so he could feed his wife. This guy has an old truck with tires that were balder than most men are in their old age (definitely, balder than my head...). Richard looked at me, gave me that “Good Samaritan” wink and asked if we could help put some tires on his car. The man thanked us enthusiastically! He followed us over to The Tire Works at Main Street and Quintana Road. There, Dan Theis, a great guy, put on two almost brand new tires at a greatly reduced rate. This was definitely a “Good Samaritan” Moment! Rock Harbor Church, where I work, has a Benevolent Fund. This fund is used at moments like these to simply say, “We really do care!”


I could go on and on with the Good Samaritan stories Richard and I so anxiously look forward to on Fridays. And, truthfully, we are nothing special—we just seem to be at the right place, at the right time, to do the right thing, for the needy folks who call Morro Bay home.


And you know the only real difference between the three individuals in the “Good Samaritan” story is simply what they did and did not do. In particular, what the Samaritan did and what the others did not do! There is a lesson for you, for me, for us; when given the blessing to help someone in need, let's do something. Our day and theirs will be truly blessed for the effort!

Enjoy the Journey!

Proverbs 2:1-5

            Life is full of decisions, from eating to what house to buy, from where to run to choosing a career – we are all confronted daily with making a choice on a variety of subjects.  Many years ago, my friend and mentor Mickey told me to “Enjoy the Journey!”  You see, I was feeling a tug on my heart to become a Youth and Missions Pastor and, to walk away from a lucrative career in the medical business world.  As I agonized over this life changing decision, my friend simply said, “Randy, Enjoy the Journey!”  I never forgot that and, after many months of prayer, discussion with my wife, input from great friends, not only did we Enjoy the Journey, not only did we apply the above passage to our situation, some sixteen years later, we know we did what God wanted. 

As a Pastor, I counsel daily with lovely folks in our congregation that face decisions, some radical, life changing decisions; my input to them is always two-fold, Enjoy the Journey and, go to the Word!  In Proverbs 2:1-5, we are invited to seek wisdom because it teaches us those principles by which we may know God’s guidance and helps avoid any unnecessary detours. There are 8 commands (vs. 1-4) that we are to follow when seeking God's directives and if obedient, an answer will be given (vs. 5).

1. Receive His Words - allow God's word to be your road map...

2. Treasure His Commands - like a priceless gift, treasure what He requires and says...

3. Have attentive ears – Be sure your spiritual ears are wide open...

4. Incline your heart to understand - lean not on your understanding...

5. Call for insight - to know when faith rules over pragmatism...

6. Raise your voice - pray like crazy...

7. Seek after - as a deer seeks refreshment, pursue the Living Water's heart...

8. Search with resolve - be committed to a reckless abandon to find His plan...

So, when a decision is on the horizon, remember to Enjoy the Journey; and, as you do, apply the advice from Israel’s third king Solomon and your answer will come!  Last, when we go about choosing and hearing God’s heart on any matter we’re facing, rest assured we will experience a peace that is beyond our human understanding and, we’ll be rested & comforted in knowing He’ll guide our every step!