Playing Church

Posted by MiYe Kang on Sep 7, 2011 in Daily Bread | 5 comments

When I read this verse, I was reminded of when I served at a church that feeds the homeless every Sunday morning. I awoke at 5am to be there by 6am for food and service preparation. One group formed an assembly line to make the plates and another group gathered to serve drinks. I had the privilege of working with both. I realized that the significance of these mundane tasks became clear knowing that for some this would be their only meal for the day. For others, this would be their only food for several days.

What touched me the most was when people took the time to talk, to tell me about their day or how they’re going to spend the rest of the week. (Sometimes the greatest service of one to another is taking the time to listen to their story.) Some shared their whole story or their journey of faith. They spoke of how God had been with them through it all, always looking out for them, always remaining faithful. They knew each day God would provide their next meal. Then I realized I was there to serve them, but they ministered to me.

Once all the food was distributed and they all left, I asked myself, “What’s next?” “How much more can I do?” The most obvious answer was to serve again. But there had to be more, how could I be of further service?

Then I thought of my good friend who loves to cycle. One day she had an accident. Her bike went one way and she another. As she lay there on the ground in pain, she could not move and started to cry. Clearly she was hurt and in the need of help. As she lay there, she realized people were passing her by. Nobody stopped to help or even ask if she was okay. Are we that busy that we can’t take the time to stop and help someone clearly in distress? Has our need to burn calories and look good become so important we can’t aid someone who is injured? To end on a good note, someone eventually did stop to help her.

As I thought of her incident, I was reminded of the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10: 25-27. In this story, the people who passed by were the “Church People” of that day. The Samaritan was the one who finally stopped and took the time to help. Back then the Samaritans were despised and considered unclean by the Israelites. This Samaritan went out of his way to help, costing himself both time and money. I ask myself in a situation like that “What is my level of commitment?” “Am I willing to see it through?” “Are we more like the Samaritan or are we just playing Church?”