Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Calm (emotionally) (09/13/07)
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TITLE: Sam and the Samaritan | Previous Challenge Entry
By Al Boyce
09/13/07 -
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"God," he muttered aloud. "Would it have been too much to ask that I make it to the gas station?"
He slammed the door, grabbed a gasoline can from the trunk and sprinted through commuter traffic that scurried like multicolored dung beetles toward their uncertain morning objectives.
"Gotta stay calm," he thought to himself. "Sooner or later, something has to go right."
Just around the bend, one commuter was having a slightly different conversation with God as he waited for the traffic signal to enter the highway.
"Lord," he whispered. "I pray that you give me the opportunity to bless someone in Your name today."
The commuter was somewhat surprised to see a hurrying man with a gasoline can right on the ramp, but he signaled and pulled over, then waited for the man to get in.
"Thank you so much," said the slightly out-of-breath man. "I ran out of gas and I am late for class. Would you mind bringing me to a gas station and, if it's not too much trouble, back to my car?"
To the young man, the commuter was out of place -- a island of serenity somehow insulated from the raging traffic 10 feet away.
"I don't mind a bit," said the commuter, "if you don't mind hearing why I stopped."
Taking the young man's silence as assent, the commuter told him about his muttered prayer and how blessed he felt to have a chance to do something for someone else on his way to work.
The young man introduced himself as Sam, a Korean recently arrived in the United States and living with his wife and child.
"I am a Christian as well," he said. "But sometimes not such a good one."
He then confessed how he had been very angry with God that he hadn't found a job in several months. Then his car trouble and pressures at school pushed him over the edge.
"I was cursing God today," he said sadly. "And He sent you to me to remind me."
"Remind you of what?" the commuter asked.
"That God isn't here to serve me. I am here to serve God."
After dropping Sam at his truck, the commuter thought about what had happened.
"It was never about the gas, was it God?" he thought. "You used me in ways I never imagined."
He drove on, thinking about the amazing ripple effect that obedience to God can have.
The commuter was so impressed at seeing God's hand, he decided to write an article about it and post it on the Internet.
Maybe someone who reads it will pray that prayer, he thought, bless someone's life, and the circle will keep widening.
Maybe, dear reader, it will start with you.
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