Today is Ash Wednesday marking the start of Lent a 40 day period Christians recognize before Easter so it seems appropriate to use a parable from the Bible to make a point.
Actually, this discussion stems from a sermon from this past Sunday. The preacher suggested the people of the world have become very rigid in their beliefs and attitudes. He suggested a little more flexibility could make our lives better.
To illustrate his idea he mentioned a book written by Adam Grant titled THINK AGAIN which is on the Best Seller list. Obviously Think Again is about thinking before acting – maybe being less set in our beliefs before making decisions. Lord knows I could benefit from thinking again.
The minister then lifted up the parable of the Good Samaritan as an example of thinking again.
You probably remember a Jewish traveler who had been stripped of clothing, beaten, and left half dead along the road.
First, a priest and then a Levite come by, but both avoided the injured man and passed him by.
Next, a Samaritan comes along stops, and provides needed aid to the injured man including finding him shelter, paying for his stay, and also promising to return and pay more if necessary.
These acts would not be so unusual until we remember Samaritans and Jews despised each other!
This Samaritan most likely initially thought “that’s Jew, I shouldn’t help him.”
But then this good man must think again about what was the right thing to do and acted in a way that earned him the title as the GOOD SAMARITAN!
Thinking again and trying to not be so rigid is a great idea for Lent when many Christians are looking for ways to improve their behavior.
How about for Lent, instead of giving up something try picking a new topic each of the 40 days to Think Again about?
I’m Steve Sauder and There is Something to Think About!
