Not the Good Samaritan: When We Walk Past the People God Sends

The Good Samaritan story spoke volumes recently because I realised my life wasn't living it. This isn’t a lesson about being the hero, but a Christian reflection on the moments I chose to look away. Through this personal experience, God gently, but firmly, revealed how easily we justify disobedience when compassion feels inconvenient. This might feel familiar if you’ve ever struggled with conviction or sensed the Spirit nudging you toward spiritual growth.

There are many moments in our lives that we don't express God's love without saying a word or taking action because of biases. My heart is heavy because I missed two this week.

A man was going through the recycling bins in the colder sack I live in, trying to collect cans and plastic bottles to recycle.

Walking out the front, the first words I said to him were, "It's illegal to go through the recycling bins like that". I could have asked, "Hey, can I help you?" I looked at what he was doing rather than his need. After saying those things, I noticed fear in his eyes, and he stepped back, holding his rugged bike. The man was in need because his clothes were dirty with holes in them, and his shoes had seen better days. His hair all mattered, and he smelled like alcohol. After noticing him more, I asked him if I could help. He told me he couldn't speak English. His comment was possibly a response from fear. The question lingers with me. I watched him ride away. Then I felt like a self-righteous hypocrite.

When I went back inside, my heart broke. It broke because I missed showing God's love; I wasn't the "Good Samaritan" described by Jesus in Luke 10:25-37. The parable Jesus gave, and the words Jesus said, "do likewise", I did not do. My heart became heavy with sorrow. I keep cans and bottles from home and exchange them for cash every couple of months. Instead of keeping them, I could have given mine to him. Instead, my focus was on his actions.

My actions may influence him. The consequences of my words and the effect I will never know. I pray my actions won't affect him, and someone else who knows God will help him.

The primary concern is,

My wife and I prayed a few days earlier, and she shared that God would open my eyes to see more people in need and help them as the "Good Samaritan." Two days after that prayer, I missed the opportunity because I focused on their actions rather than their needs.

Going through experiences like the one I did has taught me. First:

·        Ensure your heart is in tune with the Holy Spirit.

·        Observe people's needs as opposed to what they are doing.

Writing this blog has given me a heavy heart. As Jesus told in the parable, we must put aside our agendas and be “the good Samaritan.”

I’m not proud of that day, but grateful for what it revealed. Sometimes spiritual growth doesn’t come from what we do right, but from recognising where we’ve fallen short. This experience with the Good Samaritan story isn’t about shame it’s about waking up to the quiet voice of conviction that leads us back to compassion.

If this resonated with you, I’d love to hear your story. How has God challenged you to stop walking past what matters? Share in the comments, or pass this along to someone who needs encouragement today.