Are We Showing Up in the Moments That Count?
You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And, love your neighbor as yourself. – Luke 10:27 (NLT)
I work in advertising and marketing. It’s fun. The deadlines are brutal some days. But, I love it.
One of the mantras we preach to our clients is the importance of showing up in the moments that count. So, this week, as I’m wading through my work week in the world of advertising and marketing, and praying for inspiration for this blog, God reminded me of the importance of showing up in the moments that count.
Early on in his ministry, Jesus was asked by a religious leader, “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And, love your neighbor as yourself.”
“Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” Luke 10:25-28
And, then, in what I view as getting a little snarky with Jesus, the guy asks, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29
In typical (and awesome) Jesus fashion, he answers this question with a parable. Jesus tells the story of a Jewish man who was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. He’s attacked by bandits and beat up pretty bad – basically left for dead.
A priest comes along and sees the man, but just crosses to the other side of the road and passes him. A temple assistant comes by, but does the same. Then comes a Samaritan – one who we can all assume was despised by the injured Jewish man. In today’s world, this would be a Hillary supporter coming up on a Trump supporter who was injured pretty bad and needed some help.
The Samaritan is probably NOT gonna be the one to help a brother out, right? Wrong.
The Samaritan showed up in the moment and made it count.
“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.” Luke 10:33
Yep – the Samaritan showed up, helped the man, took care of him, put him on his donkey, got him settled at the inn, and left some money with the innkeeper to take care of the injured man.
Jesus drops the mic on this parable with a question. “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” Luke 10:36-37
Every day, God puts moments in our path. Our mission is to show up with the love of Jesus.
What moments are you missing? Are you like the priest and the temple assistant in this parable, just passing by opportunities to show up?
Does your co-worker in the cubicle beside you (who might get on your last nerve some days) need some encouragement today?
Do your kids need to be reminded that you believe in them, even when grades from the first month of school aren’t looking so hot?
Is there another mom in the lobby at dance or at the ballfield at practice that needs someone to listen and pray with her?
Today, let’s show up in the moments that count.
Let’s be Jesus to those around us.
Let’s be a neighbor.
Let’s be on mission to “go, and do the same.”
READ: Luke 10:25-37
PRAY: Ask God to speak loudly through His Spirit in you when there’s an opportunity to show up with the love of Jesus.
GROW: Listen closely to the Holy Spirit presenting you with opportunities to show up for Christ, and be faithful to these opportunities. Show up, and be the light.
