“We’ve done our service; we’re past that.. We Don’t do that anymore” said some of my leaders at a big youth center event. But… was it/is it true that we have a Do-Good limit?
Forward Friday continues the series “Do Good” and the question begs, is there a limit to doing good? I believe there is always an opportunity, even when we least expect it to brighten the day, life of someone… And as always, Good News Medicine at the end!
Let’s Get Into This!
Needless to say, I was in shock to hear that come out of the mouths of my leaders. I thought we taught our leaders to answer the bell/call to serve. That wasn’t what we taught or conveyed to our leaders over time and what we modeled or at least tried to model to our student and adult leaders.
We did have another conversation at a later date to run that scenario back because not only was it an important issue for that moment but moving forward in their future lives.
Does “Doing Good” have an expiry date?
I have been learning a lot visiting my friend, Morris in the hospital these past 3 months. It's been a good experience in that I realize that I have the blessing of being in good health, mobile and able to come and go as I please.
So it becomes a choice to “Do Good” and spend time with my friend…
And it has been good for me to be more sensitive to the needs of others and not take it for granted that I think I care but to actually care.
What it’s done is cause my heart to warm and isn’t it the strangest thing that while we could have the idea to keep to ourselves and to quote a famous line, “Stay In Our Lane”, when we have meaningful “Life Merges” with others, wonderful possibilities can open up.
Good reasons for “Doing Good”
-Doing Good Can Lessen Stress
-Doing Good Makes Us Feel Better
-Doing Good Can Generate Feelings of Satisfaction And Gratitude
-Doing Good Helps Our Mental Health
-Doing Good Helps Us Do Good More Often
I have this internal thought process that over time, I’ve tried to develop and sharpen as I endeavor to do good for those I know and don’t know.
• I try to treat everybody I meet with the same respect.
• If and when the time is right, I look for opportunities to be open about my own experiences whether struggles or successes.
• I believe that I can learn something from every interaction and encounter.
• I believe that it is possible to position my thinking to see something positive or encourage something positive in the interactions I have with people.
•I want to be me. That means that no matter where I am, I’m the same Dave everywhere and being authentic I believe helps me stay level and grounded in my connections with people…
But when it comes to, “Is there an expiry date on Doing Good?”, here’s some food for thought.
Some Good News Medicine
I strongly believe that part of where I am today is the legacy, shoulders that I stand on of my parents.
While we were not rich, we had everything we needed to succeed in life.
Character, courage, love, compassion, Kindness, going an extra mile and more….
My parents were godly people who knew where their strength, direction, outlook came from.
And sometimes, to get to where we need to go, we need to let truth speak so here are some Good News Medicine scriptures to encourage us in “Doing Good”.
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25
If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you! Proverbs 19:17
And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Hebrews 13:16
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23
As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:1
And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38
The Things I Think:
So many times, people are looking for the “New” thing that will be the difference when there are some tried and true methods that just work fine.
I think that Jesus is the model I want to emulate; “Doing Good” and be a source of healing to those in need.
Next week, I’ve got a story to tell about how the one I do my best to imitate made the difference in my life!
You won’t want to miss it!!
Join me in “Doing Good”, wherever we can, however we can!!!
Dave
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