"Stepping Up"

   But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion on Him, and went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
   On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, "Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you." Luke 10:33-35

You may be wondering why we are taking a look at just the good Samaritan today and not the whole parable. The reason is because today when I read it I was struck by his immediate response and a certain reality. That reality is this ...we all have the same choice to make all the time. He saw a need and jumped right in. His first response was one of compassion and then to put actions behind it. Jesus was like that everywhere He went. A grieving widow ... moved with compassion He give her back her son. Hungry multitudes ... moved with compassion, He feeds them bread and fish. The blind, the deaf, the lame, ... moved with compassion ... He heals them all!

Joshua made a statement  ... "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15 We make the same choice everyday. Will we respond with compassion like Jesus? Will we be determined to serve Him and Him alone even if it means picking a stranger up out of the gutter? Will we respond to someone else's needs with compassion the way He did and more importantly will we be the one who is moved with compassion and steps up without waking by.