Being Interrupted: How the Good Samaritan Illustrated Compassionate Disruption

Battle Drill Devotional

Being Interrupted: How the Good Samaritan Illustrated Compassionate Disruption

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Summary

Being interrupted – an act of compassion. Unpacking the story of The Good Samaritan.

Introduction

Do you like being interrupted? I have to confess, I have a hard time accepting it sometimes! Being interrupted is an experience that we have all encountered in our daily lives. A moment of concentration shattered, a conversation stopped dead in its tracks, a task that urgently requires attention. Yet, how we respond to this interruption, and particularly, the decision to let compassion guide our response is valuable and worth dwelling upon.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, we find a tale of compassion intertwined with the profound impact of being interrupted. This powerful narrative about the virtuous Samaritan who chooses to assist an injured stranger over continuing his journey uninterrupted, reverberates through time. Perhaps the true beauty of the parable lies not only in the act of kindness but also in the Samaritan’s readiness to accept the interruption, replacing frustration with kindness and understanding.

‘Being interrupted’ can be an avenue to express compassion and a call to seize opportunities to make a positive difference in someone else’s life. Remarkably, when interruptions are seen as prospects for compassion rather than intrusions, our perspective begins to shift and helps cultivate more gratifying connections with those around us.

Being interrupted: An Invitation

Let’s embrace interruptions as opportunities rather than seeing them as frustrations. If we take a leaf from the book of the Good Samaritan, there is potential for richness, compassion and growth in being interrupted. Instead of viewing an interruption as obstructive, we can transform it into a shared moment of empathy and kindness.

Conclusion

In our modern society, often governed by schedules and rigidity, being interrupted comes as a breath of essential fresh air, throwing us off made paths and enabling us to walk on untravelled trails. Life is not about the destination we arrive at, but the interruptions along the journey – those beautiful human moments that create a lasting impact.

Reflection Question:

• How can you show compassion the next time you are interrupted?

Key Takeaways

• Being interrupted, far from being a nuisance, is the cornerstone of compassion, exemplified in the timeless story of the Good Samaritan. Regularly turning these instances into opportunities to lend a helping hand can lead to the spread of genuine empathy.
• “Being interrupted” by someone’s needs isn’t an obstacle in life, but a catalyst for change and growth. It’s about giving without expecting anything in return – the very definition of true compassion.
• The Good Samaritan didn’t view the situation as an imposition on his journey, but an imperative call to show kindness. This conveys how “being interrupted” can often be the most genuine moments of compassion seen and felt.
• One of the critical lessons from The Good Samaritan story is that “being interrupted” is not a hindrance to achieving our goals but an opportunity to showcase love and kindness, the essence of human morality.
• Drawing on the spirit of The Good Samaritan, a compassionate life involves “being interrupted” and delivering selfless acts, reaffirming the shared humanity that connects us all.

Photo by Jackson David on Unsplash

This Week on the Battle Drill Daily Devotional Podcast

This week on the Battle Drill Daily Devotional podcast, we seek to understand compassion by seeing through the eyes of Jesus, reflecting on his story of the Good Samaritan. Each weekday we share hope and encouragement as we read and study the Bible together.

• Monday 16 October – Seeing Others Through the Eyes of Jesus: Discerning Compassion in Everyday Life
• Tuesday 17 October – Love is an Action: Embrace it with the Good Samaritan’s Message of Service
• Wednesday 18 October – Empowering Humanity: Recognising Instances to Show Kindness Everywhere
• Thursday 19 October – Being Interrupted: How the Good Samaritan Illustrated Compassionate Disruption
• Friday 20 October – Immersing Yourself in God’s Love: Care For Others More Than Yourself – The Secret to Eternal Happiness

Internal Links

• Life-Changing Friendship with Jesus: “They Had Been With Jesus”
• Enhance Your Prayers in Times of Crisis: How to Pray and Listen to God’s Voice
• A Timely and Uplifting Prayer For Happiness In Your Community
• Why It Is Important To Know Your Identity In Christ
• Happiness Begins with Gratitude: What Happens When People are Delighted

Outgoing Links

• 1. The Parable of the Good Samaritan – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2010%3A25-37&version=NIV – This link offers an accessible text of the biblical story.
• 2. A Powerful Article on Interruption – https://www.theschooloflife.com/thebookoflife/on-being-interrupted/ – A piece exploring the philosophical and psychological aspects of being interrupted.
• 3. The Importance of Compassion – https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/compassion – An extensive list of articles and resources exploring the importance and impact of compassion.
• 4. Compassion Fatigue: When Caring Hurts – https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/turning-straw-gold/201308/compassion-fatigue – Shedding light on the challenges of constant compassion.
• 5. Linking Interruptions to Compassion – https://zenhabits.net/compassionate-interruptions/ – A unique perspective on how interruptions can be tied to acts of compassion.
• 6. Handling Interruptions Graciously – http://lifehacker.com/how-to-graciously-handle-being-interrupted-1621067581 – Some practical advice for dealing with interruptions.
• 7. Being a Good Samaritan in the 21st Century – https://www.charities.org/news/being-good-samaritan-21st-century-anonymous-contributor – A modern interpretation of the Good Samaritan.
• 8. Volunteering and Compassion – https://www.pointsoflight.org/volunteeryourtime – A link offering volunteer opportunities to readers looking to embody the compassion of the Good Samaritan.
• 9. The Science and Psychology of Interruptions – https://www.thecut.com/2018/03/the-science-of-interruption.html – A more scientific approach to interruptions and their impacts.
• 10. Understanding the Good Samaritan Parable – https://www.learnreligions.com/parable-of-the-good-samaritan-700195 – A detailed breakdown of the parable and its moral implications.

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