Be Especially Good
Blog 2.7.2022
Be Especially Good
I saw this sign today: “The world is short staffed- PLEASE- be kind to those that showed up.” We have all been through a tumultuous two years, and many people are at their breaking point. However, there is something about this sign that shocks me. I am not an economist, so I will not comment on the current economy or the apparent labor shortages. I will not even comment on whether or not this is an accurate statement- however, from my observations, there appears to be a staffing shortage wherever I look. What strikes me as peculiar is that we now post signs encouraging the common decency of kindness to those who are serving us. Not only does our current society require a placard indication we should be kind, but the sign even justifies why we should be kind. I am not sure if this sign speaks more to our short attention span and our need for immediate gratification; or if it addresses our current lack of care for others. This sign is representative of the ugliness that we see every day.
When we feel we have been wronged, it becomes easy to do wrong to others. This is part of the problem that is beginning to surface all around us. Nowadays, we all feel as though we have been wronged or mistreated, perhaps because we had to wait or because the last two years seem particularly unfair. We are tired and frustrated; we have become weary of doing the honorable and noble things. Likewise, the people around us have grown tired of doing good to others. This is why we need reminders throughout God’s word to encourage us not to give up. Galatians chapter 6 informs us how people who live by the Spirit should act, carrying each other’s burdens; part of this is doing what is good to those around us.
Galatians 6:9-10
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
One of the major takeaways from this verse is that we should acknowledge that all of us can grow weary in doing good. When we are subjected to the fatigue caused by the world around us, it can become more difficult to do good to those around us. Some individuals will see this as an opportunity to give up and be rude or mean. They will refuse to show kindness and gentleness, limiting the grace they extend to others. Some will see that life is hard, and they will repay others with that same hardness that they have endured.
Not for those who live by the Spirit.
For those that live by the Spirit, we have a different calling. Christ called us to meekness, mercy, and peace (Matthew 5:5-9). These hallmarks are how we fulfill the law of Christ, a law written on our hearts. We, who live by the Spirit, do not grow weary in doing good. God’s word promises that we will gain a reward for not giving up and resorting to the ugliness of the world around us.
One final thought regarding this passage, Paul instructs his audience to extend this goodness to the “family of believers” specifically. This phrase makes me reflect on that sign, which asked its readers to “be kind to those who showed up.” For those that are present and choosing to stand against the desire to quit and give up; for those that have grown weary… be wonderfully kind. We all have this shared experience; it is hard to be a Christ-follower. We should be good, honorable, pleasant with everyone we interact with, and when we are interacting with a member of our family… we should be especially good toward them. Your fellow Christ-followers are showing up, so be good to them, show them the love, kindness, and grace that Christ has given to us. I can’t imagine how much better life would be if we did not grow wearing in doing good, specifically to the family of believers.
**As I wrote this, there was a fatal active shooter event just a few miles away. A recent reminder of the evilness and ugliness that is in the world. An ever-present indication that we cannot grow weary in doing good. The time is always short, this world needs to know our Savior, which is the greatest good we can accomplish. **
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.