• Ephesians 2:10
    "For we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

A Cry for Help

March 1 2022

The primary reason a person goes to the gym is to get in shape or maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some people might use it as an outlet to socialize. However, the last thing you would expect to do while being there is help someone put on their clothes.


I had just arrived in the locker room and while hanging up my jacket, suddenly, I heard this loud desperate cry for help. The man was literally screaming “will someone please come help me”. Initially I ignored him because there were other men who were closer to where the cry originated. However, I saw a continuous flow of people walking by and looking, but no one was stopping. It was as if they did not hear him. The cry became louder and more pronounced.


Finally, I could no longer ignore him and set out to explore what was going on. As I followed the sound of his plea, I came upon this man who was sitting on a bench half dressed. I asked, how can I assist you? And here’s how he replied, “can you please pull down my two shirts in the back so I can finish getting dressed. I could see that he had limited mobility and was using a walker.


I gently started pulling down the first shirt which was rolled and had become stubborn. As I pulled down the second one which required a little more energy and stretching, I wondered why no one had offered to assist this gentleman. He wasn’t asking for very much and I was happy to lend a hand.


When I was finished, he thanked me repeatedly for my assistance. It wasn’t that big a deal. It took me five minutes and a little conversation. But I left scratching my head. Anyone could have done what I did, but no one offered.


This reminded me of the story of the man in the Bible who had been robbed and left for dead on the side of the road. Three people walked by him, but no one offered any assistance. As a matter of fact, each person moved to the other side of the street. But one man came by, bandaged up his wounds, put him on his donkey and took him to a hotel and paid for his stay while he healed. He was a good example of a man who demonstrated love for his neighbor.


How often do we choose to ignore a plea for help and miss out on an opportunity to show love and kindness to our neighbor? The Bible tells us if we stop our ears at the cry of the poor, The Lord won’t hear us when we cry. The poor can be someone who is poor in spirit, finances or even health. The Lord just wants us to open our hearts and care for those in need and be neighborly.


When you run across someone who is begging for help, find out how you might be able to assist them. Sometimes it might be a word of encouragement, a trip to the grocery store or to the doctor, or it could mean spending time with someone who is downcast.


Listen to the cry of people, follow the sound to where they are and then become a servant. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Allow that love to be manifested in the lives of others. And our Father in heaven will be glorified.

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