鲍鱼tv

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with writer and blogger on mental health issues and faith, Emma Scrivener.

Good Morning

Research from the national charity Mind, says that one in four people in the UK will have a mental health illness at some point. I鈥檓 one of these statistics; which means that I often have to rely on others. This is far from easy. I never want to be a burden and I feel terrible when others have to step in. Yet St Paul encourages members of the Galatian church both to be carried and to carry other people. He writes, 鈥淐arry each other鈥檚 burdens and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ,鈥� God has made us to depend upon one another. That鈥檚 the shape of loving community.

When Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan he gave his hearers a powerful image of carrying and being carried. In this classic parable, a traveller is beaten, stripped of his clothing and robbed. First a priest and then a teacher of the law, pass him by. Finally a Samaritan appears. Jews and Samaritans were enemies, but the Good Samaritan 鈥渃ame to where the traveller was, saw him and had compassion on him鈥�. The despised Samaritan shows what it is to love 鈥� he does this by drawing near (instead of walking past); by seeing pain (instead of closing his eyes to it), and by showing compassion (instead of withdrawing).

Like the injured man in this story, we rely on the kindness of a God who carries our burdens. Only then are we called to 鈥済o and do likewise鈥�, in his strength.

Lord Jesus, thank you for being our Good Samaritan. Please give us the courage to ask for help when we鈥檙e struggling and help us to carry others in your strength.

Amen.