Sidetracked!

Being sidetracked! Having our attention diverted! Having our planned flow of activity interrupted! Perhaps, like me, you don’t particularly like when that occurs. I begin most days with a list of things to be accomplished and the order in which I hope to do so. However, that process sometime gets interrupted. There are times when it is by something that is not very important and even by things that are actually a nuisance (i.e. a sale’s call on the telephone while right in the middle of developing a thought for a lesson.) Still, there are times when the interruption is by something that really is worthy of being taken care of at that very moment.

Perhaps the best illustration for accepting an interruption was provided in one of our Lord’s familiar parables. ( Luke 10) The occasion for this parable was opened by one who had a question with regard to what he needed to do in order to have eternal life. (vs.25) Jesus led the focus toward a proper love for God and for one’s neighbor. (vss.26-28) In an attempt to justify himself, the questioner then wanted to have a neighbor defined. ( Luke 10:29)

We then read…
“(30) Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. (31) Now by chance A PRIEST was going down that road, and when he saw him he PASSED BY ON THE OTHER SIDE. (32) So likewise A LEVITE, when he came to the place and saw him, PASSED BY ON THE OTHER SIDE. (33) BUT A SAMARITAN, AS HE JOURNEYED, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he HAD COMPASSION. (34) He WENT to him and BOUND UP his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he SET HIM ON HIS OWN ANIMAL and BROUGHT HIM TO AN INN and TOOK CARE OF HIM. (35) And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ (36) Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?’ (37) He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise.’” ( Luke 10:30-37 ESV)

All three of these -- the priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan -- were on their way somewhere. I don’t imagine it was a convenient time for any of them. Each most likely had something they were on their way to do. The first two did not allow themselves to be interrupted. They were not going to be sidetracked. It did not matter that someone was in need because they obviously had something “more important” to attend to. When we note the actions of the Samaritan we should easily see that what he did took some time. It delayed his journey, costing him time as well as some money. Nevertheless the Samaritan accepted the interruption and did what he could to meet the need before continuing on his way.

Consider for a moment a train. Though it has a final destination, there are places along the way where it is sidetracked in order to load and unload, providing its services on its journey. However, after the purpose for being sidetracked is fulfilled, then the train gets back on track. It is the same with our life. Perhaps the interruption could have come at a better time, but when we are in the position to help, are we willing to break from routine and deal with it, knowing after doing so we can GET BACK ON TRACK with what we were doing?

When we have to get off track, let us not lose track of the final destination. Let us also not forget the track to get back on. Getting off the fast track -- slowing down for a moment to help another -- might even be a needed refresher for ourselves. Remember people and their needs are important. Such situations reveal what is most valued by us. How did neighbor end up being defined? As the one who showed mercy. May we accept the urging Jesus went on to state when He said, “You go, and do likewise.”

Have a great day REMEMBERING MERCY’S TRACK!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Interruptions