‘Who runs across your path’ is a statement, not a question. It’s a statement about the intersection of lives and this episode happened to a runner I know.
Out for a morning run, the runner I know came upon the sound of yelling. That might suggest danger, but the runner soon determined the location and source of the outburst. A young girl was in the front yard of her home and her father stood at the door. He was bawling out his daughter and she was crying. Runners don’t usually like to break their stride but this scene broke the runner’s heart. The runner stopped and spoke to the girl. She was waiting for her school bus that morning, and not wanting to be alone, had woken her father. Apparently, she had been told not to disturb him. He was irritated and probably tired and he had lashed out at her. Seeing the runner stopped and talking to his daughter brought some sense and calm to the man. The yelling ended and he made his way toward the girl, waving off the runner in silent acknowledgement of his error and the runner’s kindness.
This episode answers the question asked in the Gospel of Luke: “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29) A lawyer had posed this question to Jesus following His remark, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Your neighbor is whoever crosses your path. Love is being willing to put aside a personal agenda to address others’ needs. Being able to do that requires a couple of things. It requires open eyes and ears. You can’t meet needs that you remain oblivious to. Secondly, it requires compassion. A tender heart develops as you understand and experience God’s great care and sacrificial love.
My treks will never be at a runner’s pace but I hope I’ll recognize circumstances of need and love neighbors when they run cross my path.
Excellent observations. We must be willing to be interrupted by God’s greater plan.
I always love your work. But this is beyond inspirational! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.