1 Dec, 2010
Why the Delay?
Hundreds of people travel during the holiday season, in fact you may have just returned from traveling. There are these two words that for some reason can always make your excitement for the holidays dwindle, “FLIGHT DELAYED”.
So it begins, the groans heard across the room and the angered passengers saying,
“What! Did you say my flight is delayed”?
“But I am already late?”
“What about MY family”
“I am tired of traveling”
“Why ME, why is My Flight ALWAYS DELAYED!”
I am sure the passengers on Flight 2821 felt the same way:
L.A.-bound Delta flight diverted to Denver
Sunday, November 28, 2010
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Travelers at Los Angeles International Airport had to wait an extra three hours for a Delta flight from Minnesota.
Flight 2821 was supposed to arrive at LAX at 9:17 a.m. from Minneapolis-Saint Paul.
The flight ended up being diverted to Denver, Colo. It finally landed in Los Angeles at 12:19 p.m.
Apparently, the flight was diverted because two passengers on board needed medical attention.
The pilot chose to divert to Denver instead of continue on with the flight to LAX as a precautionary measure.
(Copyright ©2010 KABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
Luke 10:25-37 (New International Version, ©2010)
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
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?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
What does Today's story and God's Story Scripture Teach us about "Delay's" in our life?
Jesus always brings our attention to the simple care of loving God & others. People in his time were always trapped in rules, business, & tradition, much like we are today. For the most part the things we spend our time on ournot bad, but are your eyes open to the things & people God places in front of you?
How will You Go and do Likewise?
The passengers on flight 2821 where “Delayed” for 3hours. Did you catch why? “Apparently, the flight was diverted because two passengerson board needed medical attention.” The pilot saw the need of the 2 people on his plane and chose to delay the other passengers because of it. The delay could have cost the airlines money, and angered many, yet two people (and their families) that where very grateful for the delay.
Like the pilot, the Samaritan chose to Delay his day. Two people passed the man, and the Samaritan stopped. What makes this special, is that Samaritans typically did not get along with Jews, in fact they where pretty hostile with each other,he was a hated foreigner, Jesus showed that love had no borders no matter whatsociety says.
How can I connect today's story & God's story's scripture to my life?
When you start your day first with, (27) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’’ without a doubt you will beginto see the work of God in you daily.
Sometimes God calls us to stop our busy day to “Delay” for someone in need. Maybe you need to delay your life to spend some time with God?
Make time to increase your love for God today. Bring your focus back to Him who created you to be something beautiful.
The second part of verse 27 is “Love your neighbor as yourself”. How would you like others to Delay for you? Sometimes God calls us to stop our busy day to “Delay” for someone in need. Ask Him to show you how to love with no borders.
How can I connect today's Story, God's Story, and my story to others?
Will you allow a detour in your day?
Next time you are in a busy airport, at school, at home, or out shopping for Christmas presents, keep your eyes open for who God may be tugging on your heart to Delay your day. A delay could be as simple or as hard as:
- Smiling at, or saying a few kind words to the person in retail that looks like they may be having a rough day.
- Invite someone who’s is emotionally struggling, to hang out and just listen.
- Buy someone’s soda or nacho at school
- Give grace to someone you have not had patience with, and help them with a task.
- Stop and talk with someone that looks like they are having a bad day.
- If you are forced to Delay, instead of being angry, think of the people that may have needed that delay, like the two people that needed medical attention.
We are often so caught up in our lives we forget to look at the world around us. Allow God to show you where to be delayed.
Be Delayed this season, while placing someone’s’ needs before yours.
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