Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It
"If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he
listens to you, you have won your brother" - Matthew 18:15
Who amongst you are
quick to throw stones when your friend, peer or brother falls? I often hear
people speaking behind someone's back when things start to get tough for that
someone. We have seen this more predominantly in the lives of celebrities as
national news. I don't need to mention individual cases of the last year,
because you all have heard the stories as well. Be it problems with addictions,
adultery, violence, public mishaps or simply the latest scandal; our grocery
store shelves are filled with this dribble. It's the most valuable real estate
in the retail supercenter - right next to the register. Having worked marketing
with mega-retailers (Wal-Mart, Target, Best-Buy, etc.) I know that it cost
significant marketing funds to secure that real-estate. This means that the
tabloids are doing very well with their dribble and the consumer (you and I)
are eating it in volume.
So why are we so enthralled with the lives and mistakes of others? I propose that inherent in each of us is a hidden ego switch that is triggered every time something like this pops up. This switch flips on and reassures us that “we aren't so bad, look at that person. At least I haven't done that.” Our pride is pumped up slightly and our own sins seem a little less severe. When it really comes down to it, the tabloids are all about comparative processing of scandal - right?
I want to believe that we are a more mature, character driven, and uplifting society. I want to think that we are going to be there to help others when they fall down. As quick as we are to judge and criticize others, we could be so much more productive using that time to give them a word of encouragement and a helping hand up. I know inside of each of us is the moral character and fiber of integrity that wants to do the right thing, and you know that the right thing is not to condemn and foster the negativity but rather to support and help.
Helping someone who has fallen is not condoning their actions or sins, but it is showing them the love of Christ. When faced with the opportunity to help someone up through the love of Christ or push them down with the cynicism of Satan, I'm sure you'd agree that the former is the better choice. Can you do this? Make it one of your priorities and remind yourself daily to be an encourager. I'll bet you've got it in you. No more forwarding of gossip emails or hallway chatter about so & so and you know who. Choose to ignore these paths for they do not lead to righteousness, and you know this.
So why are we so enthralled with the lives and mistakes of others? I propose that inherent in each of us is a hidden ego switch that is triggered every time something like this pops up. This switch flips on and reassures us that “we aren't so bad, look at that person. At least I haven't done that.” Our pride is pumped up slightly and our own sins seem a little less severe. When it really comes down to it, the tabloids are all about comparative processing of scandal - right?
I want to believe that we are a more mature, character driven, and uplifting society. I want to think that we are going to be there to help others when they fall down. As quick as we are to judge and criticize others, we could be so much more productive using that time to give them a word of encouragement and a helping hand up. I know inside of each of us is the moral character and fiber of integrity that wants to do the right thing, and you know that the right thing is not to condemn and foster the negativity but rather to support and help.
Helping someone who has fallen is not condoning their actions or sins, but it is showing them the love of Christ. When faced with the opportunity to help someone up through the love of Christ or push them down with the cynicism of Satan, I'm sure you'd agree that the former is the better choice. Can you do this? Make it one of your priorities and remind yourself daily to be an encourager. I'll bet you've got it in you. No more forwarding of gossip emails or hallway chatter about so & so and you know who. Choose to ignore these paths for they do not lead to righteousness, and you know this.
No comments:
Post a Comment