We Can Make A Difference
We Can Make A Difference
Sitting on my deck watching the birds interact my thoughts landed on “people watching.” It is something that many people enjoy, I love it. Today, however, we don’t have a chance to do it live and in-person but via television, the news or not, social media. But, we are not seeing people as they are when they think no one is looking. That is when it is interesting to me.
We get small doses of the real heroes; the first responders, the caregivers, doctors, and nurses. We get to see their selfless acts of care and dedication but do we really see them, or are they a highlight on the evening news?
What about all the rest of the people, the everyday people. The poor and the rich alike. We hear about random gifts that impact many. But these moments along with the deserved recognition of the heroic acts of our first responders are only that, moments.
The Coronavirus could be a reset button on how we see one another, interact with one another, believe in one another. Being able to see the beauty and revel in each person’s uniqueness. Celebrating God’s vision of each person would be an incredible outcome of our winning the war against a virus that is invisible but deadly.
But how?
Paul gives us insight into a way to turn the tide of hatred and change the discourse between us.
Think on these things.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4: 4-9 New International Version (NIV)
We often focus on verses 8 and 9 – regarding think on these things. But we need to take all of verses 4-9. It starts with rejoicing in the Lord. Regardless of the circumstance, when we are focused on the Lord, we have a filter that will guide our actions. The result will be peace in our hearts and mind, in the midst of chaos or pain. That peace can then guide our words and actions.
We can choose to focus on the circumstance and its challenges or on the Lord and His guidance through.
That takes us back to people watching, seeing others as God does. Believing the best in others, focusing on the things we choose to see; whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. We tend to see people and their weaknesses or where we disagree and allow those things to be our focus. That can and has spiraled into a hate-filled perspective and conversations.
There is value in our being created unique – a “one-of-a-kind” person. We each see things through a unique lens. Those collective differences give a whole picture rather than a skewed lopsided view.
There is a politician that once said we should never allow a crisis to go to waste. There is truth in that position. Consider just for a moment that when we hit the pause button because of the war on this virus we changed the dynamic of the social, political, and religious discourse in the world. This is not a mandate or law; it is a choice of each individual. It can only happen if we individually choose to believe the best in one another.
If we allow our eyes and hearts to focus on God and have Him as our filter, we can change the world, one person, at a time. This isn’t dependent on the next guy but on us, influencing our communities by our peace, a peace that transcends comprehension, by our love for one another. What if we, I, each individual chose to allow our filter to be God, His focus, His love, what is important to Him guide our mind, heart, and will?
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35 New International Version (NIV)
That’s what Jesus did when He walked the earth. He did not conform to this world but had not only a different standard of discourse but a different filter, a different focus than the violent world to which he came. Jesus had a different agenda. His was to build a bridge to His Father. Ours is to point to the bridge and the bridge maker.
Think on these things with the filter of God – His love for all mankind not just the ones we like but the adversaries as well. For we all fall short of the glory of God, but we don’t fall short of His love.
Do we have the ability to lay down our agenda for His? Will people know we are Christ-followers by our peace and love for one another? Will we choose His filter and think on these things: whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things?
