Stop Running Late

I am reading a book by Mark Batterson called “Wild Goose Chase” and I would recommend it to everyone. I have been challenged so far and I am only in chapter two. What struck me today, in my reading, was about being in such a hurry that we miss divine appointments.

Batterson writes how several psychologists from Princeton University did an experiment based the Good Samaritan parable in the Bible. They wanted to create a modern day version to see if the responses would be the same. They gave seminary students the job of preparing and preaching to a group of other seminarians. Half of the group was assigned to preach on the parable of the Good Samaritan and the other half could preach on whatever they wanted. On the assigned day they were to go to a particular building to preach. As they were leaving half were told they were already a few minutes late and the other half was told they were early but should start to make their way over to the building. They placed an actor that had been “beaten” in the student’s path. The results were interesting based on the students’ responses.

They found that it didn’t matter whether or not they were preaching a sermon on the Good Samaritan but whether or not they were late. Out of those who were told they were late, 10 percent stopped, several even walked right over the actor to get to their destination. Compared to those who were told they were early, 63 percent stopped. The conclusion was that it didn’t matter whether they wanted to help or were preaching a sermon on the Good Samaritan but whether or not they are in a hurry. Wow!

How many times am I in a hurry? A lot. Running to get somewhere, to meet someone and I miss an opportunity to help because I am running late. I believe that God puts people in my path to help but many times I am too busy to notice or to stop and help. I know a few weeks ago in the grocery store I saw someone that I thought I should talk to but I was running late so I chose not to stop and talk. As I look back now I missed a divine opportunity to make a difference for Christ that day. I have been challenged to leave earlier and not push things to the last minute so that I can be available the next time the Holy Spirit prompts me to speak with someone or to help someone.