Done Picked Up A Hitchhiker

Driving in for lunch today, a hitchhiker was thumbing for a ride. Car after car passed him by, including mine. I got about a quarter mile down the road and felt a strange tugging (good Christian descriptive), I switched lanes and made a U-turn, picked up the young man and took him into town. This was the following conversation:

"Where are you headed?"

"Food Lion in Tappahannock."

"Cool. I'm headed that way too, hop in."

"Thanks for the ride. You're lifesaver. It is so stinking hot."

"Well. I preached on Sunday that we should help our neighbors out, so I figured I better practice what I preach."

"You're a pastor"

"Yes. You're not going to jump out of the car, are you?"

"No, it's just funny. When you passed, along with the other cars, I prayed, "Lord, please open someone's heart, and what do you know."

That'll preach.

This isn't a post about my good deed. In fact, it's quite the opposite because in this story I am the one who passed on the other side, felt bad about it, turned around, and helped. That is all. There is not much good about it. There is guilt.

Several friends and I were having a discussion as to who our neighbor is and I said, "Maybe we get too caught up in defining our neighbors instead of letting them define themselves as circumstances come."

The circumstance came and I became caught up in defining my neighbor.

I preach a lot about caring for our neighbors and the people in our community and I have noticed when I do, a situation arises where I am asked to practice what I preach. This is where the parable of the Good Samaritan and perhaps the story of Mary and Martha meet, I find myself so focused on what is before and those within my circle that I miss an opportunity. I miss Jesus standing on the side of the road with his thumb out, looking for a ride.

And that bothers me.

I am becoming convinced every day that the church needs is not more programs or more books about culture or more concepts of worship; what we are need of most is just a sacred space where a hitchhiker can show up and Jesus says, "Stop fussing around with the budget. You're neighbors are here, and they need a ride."