Choose Kindness

The “Good Samaritan” story is familiar to most of us.  It’s the story of how a Priest, a Levite and a Samaritan passed by a man—a Jew-- who was robbed and beaten by thugs and left to die.  The most likely candidate to take of the wounded man seems to be the Priest.  He is after all, seemingly, a godly man, yet he chooses to walk away.  The Levite, another supposed godly man does the very same thing.  It’s clear they saw him, but chose to not take any action. 

Then a Samaritan came by.  This is significant because in those days Jews and Samaritans were enemies.  They didn’t talk to each other or communicate in any way.  The usual tactic was avoidance.  Yet, this enemy of the Jews, chose to give him aid.  What a great role model!  

  Our world is changing in ways most of us would never have imagined.  As “success” is defined by how much material wealth a person can have, we seemed bent on climbing the corporate ladder to the highest rung, as quickly as possible, regardless who we step on during our climb, and even sometimes through other, less than moral ways.  It’s the “way of the world” and totally expected and often accepted!

It makes me wonder what happened to the Good Samaritan thought process!  To find someone who will stop to help another [especially a noted enemy] is unheard of --- or so rarely heard of, if the media hears of it, it’s instant news!  Most of the time, it’s how hard do I have to hit you to get you down beneath me….and oh, while you’re there, I’m gonna give you a good swift kick!

This seems to happen across the spectrum from within families (who aren’t supposed to be strangers at all) to our families within the church.  Not many of us even know our neighbors, except possibly the one who lives right next door!  Relationships are becoming more and more strained as we hover in our own little world, staying connected to our technological devices.  

The ‘web’ is not any safer than intermingling with ‘strangers’, since there’s the added element of being able to skew what we want other people to know or see, via the internet.  This is so prevalent we are encouraged to be wary of people we don’t know and be certain we are careful when sharing financial information or personal information that may be used and abused against us!

God didn’t intend His people to be unkind, mean or thoughtless!  God’s world is defined by light, and goodness, kindness and love.  So I encourage you to reflect on who you call “your neighbor.”  Is the person in front of you at the supermarket, “your neighbor?”  Is the homeless person on the corner, the sick and impoverished of your town, “your neighbor?”  Can we really “choose” who or neighbor is?  God loves all people, and that is what he wants to see in us, as well---regardless of race, color, creed, religious beliefs, nationality or anything that makes us different!

Photo Credit:  https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/kindness.html 

And Instead of Or

       I remember as a child hearing the expression “you can’t have your cake and eat it too.”  I suspect as a little person I didn’t totally understand the weight of that comment when related to real-life situations.  Certainly, as a young person, for example, I likely wanted to have money to spend on a desired toy, but once I spent it, I no longer had it!  I couldn’t have both, the money and the toy at the same time!  

During a conversation recently, the idea of “and” and “or” came up, because there are some huge gaps in words where the journey must be “or”, because “and” isn’t going to work!  For example, a person can desire change or stability.  Change is going to be unsettling creating instability.  Another might be conservative or liberal.  This is usually a political idiom and I certainly don’t want to get in a debate about this, yet I consider myself a conservative and miles away from being a liberal.  

Unify Rather Than Divide

Are there areas where “and” can unify rather than divide?  After some research, I found there are places where “and” is a necessity, especially from a Biblical sense.  Evangelism and discipleship, as one of my favorite pastors explained, is absolutely necessary, if a person or church is going to be able to grow.

Another area “and” is essential would be “multiple locations” and “one church.”  From a secular perspective, this is a contradiction.  How can it be multiple and still be one? It’s true there are varied denominations, which lends itself to the idea of “multiple locations” but scripture teaches we the people are “the church.”  We assemble in multiple locations to worship.  As Believers, we are urged to meet with other fellow Believers.  Certainly, given geography, it is necessary to meet in separate meeting places.  This does not, however, lessen our relationship with Christ, because each Believer is a member of “the one true church.”

One more example might be growth and assimilation.  I see this hugely impacting the music in our churches.  I admit, my favorite gospel music is Southern Gospel.  I enjoy the old hymns and the new songs in this genre.  I also totally enjoy the newer contemporary music.  The lyrics often cause me to embrace the music in an amazing sense of worship. I can assimilate and embrace both for a wondrous worship experience.  My husband, on the other hand, has a hard time with contemporary music.  Assimilation, therefore for him, is very difficult.  Yet, the contemporary music helps draw in the younger population.  In this case, it must be “and” rather than “or” if our congregations are to continue to grow.

Growth In 'And Instead of Or'

I encourage you to consider decisions that require “and” or “or.”  Does choosing “or” create a separation which hinders Christian growth, but does not go against your Christian beliefs?  Is it a preference or does scripture clarify the “right and wrong” of it?  Are there alternatives which enable “and” being used, again while not going against God’s Word?

Sometimes “or” or even a “no” must be used, because God’s Word doesn’t offer an option.  But when we want to encourage growth, rather than stifle it, we would benefit by using and believing in, “and.”

Photo Credit: https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/cake/8