Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Compassion for My Neighbours

I have been busy the past few weeks that I did not have the time and energy to blog. I decided to do so today - better than never, I guess.

Anyway, on my way back just now, I saw this elderly man standing in front of me. He is probably in his late seventies. Ever had this experience where you see someone and suddenly you feel like crying? Well, that was precisely how I felt. I think he has cataract on both his eyes. He was frail and in his pocket was a slip of paper where the man's particulars were on it. I guess it is to allow strangers or the relevant authorities to send him home should he get lost.

Well, I was quite disappointed that no one in the train offered their seats to him, even for those who were sitting on the "reserved" seats for those who need them most. Anyway, I asked him whether he needed a seat and it was then that I realised the lady behind him was either his daughter or relative. She said it was alright.

As I continued on my journey, I suddenly felt the need to pray for the man. I asked the Lord to restore his sight so that he can see clearly again. I hope my faith in the Lord will cause the man to be healed. I guess I need not see it to believe so I shall leave it to God to do the healing process.

Well, tomorrow onwards I will be seeing more who are like this man when I go to Cambodia on a mission trip with the Youth Ministry team. Sometimes it can be emotionally draining when you see the injustices of this fallen world. I guess I shall channel my disappointment to one of hope as I pray for the Lord to remove the pain and poverty of many around us - our neighbours, those who are in need basically.

I covet the prayers of those who are reading this blog as 11 youths and I spend 6 days in Phnom Penh - these few days may not be enough to change the world but if we can make a difference in at least one person's life, all thanks to God! :)

Time for me to stop here and do some packing.

Till I blog again, the Lord bless and keep you all. :)

"On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" 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.'" "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins 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.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:25-37

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