John Bunyan: "You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you."

I am running a wee bit early today, sending out my blog because I see my podiatrist at 8 a.m. this morning, as we welcome Wednesday, September 9, 2026. A dear friend and brother in Christ posted that lighthouse depiction one day last week. I used it today because it struck a real sense of conviction in my heart, and usually when that happens, I know it will speak to others too. Man, oh man, it's so easy to be tied up in knots taking care of me, myself, and I. When I am in that mode, I have trouble seeing the other person's situation. Call it blinders or whatever else you come up with, even perhaps a good excuse, and I'm real good at coming up with them; truth is, we are our brothers' and our sisters' keepers. May God help me to be more sensitive and aware of the plight of others. So often I am guilty of what the half-brother of Jesus, James, wrote about in his New Testament letter. My paraphrase from Chapter 2:14-26, here: The man is freezing out in the cold. I notice him. I speak to him. I tell him I will pray for him. And I tell him I hope he will be warm. What's missing? James says those words don't mean anything unless they are accompanied by action, like maybe giving the cold man a coat. The coat I often find myself giving is made up of kind words, even well-intended words. See what I mean, Vern? That lighthouse illustration reminded me of things like that. What does it remind you of? 

 

I know. I have plenty to say grace over in my life, my own family, my own stuff. Right? Yeah. We all do. But, best I can tell, Jesus had a different view He wanted us to have too. He told a story to illustrate how we should respond to those in need. It's called the parable of the good Samaritan from the Gospel of  Luke 10:25-37, from the Living Bible: ~ "One day an expert on Moses’ laws came to test Jesus’ orthodoxy by asking him this question: 'Teacher, what does a man need to do to live forever in heaven?' Jesus replied, 'What does Moses’ law say about it?' 'It says,' he replied, 'that you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind. And you must love your neighbor just as much as you love yourself.' 'Right!' Jesus told him. 'Do this and you shall live!' The man wanted to justify his lack of love for some kinds of people, so he asked, 'Which neighbors?' Jesus replied with an illustration: 'A Jew going on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes and money, and beat him up and left him lying half dead beside the road. By chance a Jewish priest came along; and when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Jewish Temple-assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but then went on. But a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw him, he felt deep pity. Kneeling beside him the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his donkey and walked along beside him till they came to an inn, where he nursed him through the night. The next day he handed the innkeeper two twenty-dollar bills and told him to take care of the man. 'If his bill runs higher than that,' he said, 'I’ll pay the difference the next time I am here.' 'Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the bandits’ victim? The man replied, 'The one who showed him some pity.'Then Jesus said, 'Yes, now go and do the same.'" ~ Seeing that lighthouse depiction also reminded me of this story from our Savior. What say you? Have a blessed rest of the day, and may God add His blessings. Amen.