The worst day of my life was the best day of my life.
It was the day I learned that hope can come from the most unlikely source.
It was a travel day. Though notorious for its hazards, I’d always been fine when traveling on this path. Until this particular day.
One moment I was walking upright. The next, I was face-planted into the ground, choking on dust. I was viciously beaten and kicked. My clothes were stripped off and everything I had with me was stolen.
I don’t know how long I lay there, floating in and out of consciousness. I discovered that one could shiver underneath the blazing sun rays.
At some point, I heard footsteps. I cracked an eye open to see a minister’s robes. Finally, my help had come!
Except he did nothing.
He didn’t even check to see if I was breathing. In my haze, I was confused. Why would the minister not help me? He’s not blind; he can see that I’m unable to help myself. It sounded like he actually ran away from me. He did not represent the same God that He taught about in church.
Later, I heard more footsteps. I caught a glimpse of a church worker’s clothing. Surely he came to help me.
But instead, he did not a thing. This must be the new standard in churches. Do nothing when people are in need.
Well, I give up! I’m about to die under this hot sun. If was a lost cause with my own church people then I must not be worth saving. No one wants me.
God, if You’re still there, please take me now, I pleaded.
After some time, I heard sounds. Great! I’m about to be trampled to death by a wild animal. Wait—there’s also a man. A third person has come to look at me before turning away.
This man is hovering, rather than leaving. I don’t recognize his clothes. His scent is distinct though.
Uh oh! It’s a Samaritan. This is the worst day ever!He probably came to finish me off. What a humiliating way to die. I have no energy to resist even him.
Another set of smells. It’s—owwwwww!!!! I winced. Is this what death feels like? Hang on a minute–this Samaritan guy is cleaning me up. He is actually helping me. Doesn’t he know that our people don’t ever mix?
He’s mumbling something. If my head didn’t hurt so badly, I’d think he was praying for me.
Wherever I am, it’s much cooler now. It’s dark and I’m in a bed. I laid eyes on my rescuer.
It IS a Samaritan. Oh boy! What are people going to think when they hear just who helped me.
How can I twist this story? I can’t exactly lie about the minister or the church official. But could I lose my job, my friends, because this other guy helped me out?
He did help me out, didn’t he? No one else stopped, but this man. He didn’t even torture me first. Instead, he tended to my wounds and brought me to safety.
He saved my life. Wow! I didn’t know that these people were the compassionate type. Those are not the stories I grew up hearing about Samaritans.
I wouldn’t have learned the truth had I not been lying on that roadside.
When I was flat on my back feeling completely hopeless, the hope of rescue came in an unexpected manner.
Wow, God! I guess You really are there. Thank You for sending help. You care about all kinds of people, even Samaritans. I learned something new about You, God.
Turns out that this was the best day of my life.
(adapted from Luke 10:30-37)
