“And who is my neighbor?”

By: Carole L. Haines

²⁵ On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ²⁶ “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” ²⁷ He answered, “‘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, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” ²⁸ “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
²⁹ But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:27-30 NIV)
            I could see something was not quite right from a distance. There was pain on his downcast face, his lips were tightly pursed, shoulders drooped. There were scattered patches of baldness all over his head. I was sitting at a light waiting to turn and he was walking between the cars. As I drew closer, the reddish skin, the scars on his arms, legs and face became clearer. Then he held up a sign saying, “I am a burn survivor.” My heart ached for him, and my thoughts immediately went to another young man I had heard of who eventually overdosed after surviving a fire. As a leader in Celebrate Recovery, I hear stories of tragedy and survival often. I had no cash but was on my way to the store. So, I ask the person on the phone to pray and I hung up.
“And who is my neighbor?” This young man certainly was and really, anyone who is in need is my neighbor. At the store, I got cash out at the register, bought what I needed and prayed for God to show me how to get back on that ramp to give money to the young man. As I approached and rolled down my window, I saw two other people hand out money to the young man. His lips shaped the words, “Thank God!” I reached out the money, held his hand and told him, “The Lord is watching over you; He loves you! I am praying for you!”            
He thanked me and said, “My name is Cody.” I quietly whisper, “O honey, my son’s name is Cody, I will definitely remember to pray!”
We smiled as I lurched forward, for the traffic was moving once again. He had my son’s name, that precious name. It’s amazing how God can use us in a matter of minutes to bless another person. I will be looking for this young man every time I am near there from now on. Isn’t it the greatest honor to be used by God? Let’s keep our hearts open for God’s call to use us in the most daily of ways.