Weekly Thought – March 1, 2022
Fred purposefully created opportunities for conversations. For example, he invited a small group of friends from across the country to join him for a weekend of thinking, eating, and “just plain fun.” One of the topics was “doing good.” This excerpt is from his observations on the topic.
Good Works
“He went about doing good” was said of Christ. He was intentional and purposeful about his everyday circumstances. Recently I met a young man, unhappy in his computer job, wanted to quit and work full time giving his Christian testimony. I asked if his plan was to go to churches where he would be warmly received and applauded. He actually said that was his plan. All those I’ve seen who do this are not worth shooting in six months. The veracity of his testimony was at his computer job, not on a church platform. We are to share our testimony while at work, not as our work.
Christ didn’t go about doing good when He was in a good mood. Nor did He go about weighing His opportunities looking for the “greatest good,” He did what was at hand. When we focus on the highest good it is easy to ignore the small bits of good. We can get immobilized waiting for meaningful, significant contributions. There is no small good versus large good, There is no hierarchy of good in God’s economy. It is a chain that links human history together living out God’s plan.
I read a story about football player Steve Largent, former Pro football player. When he was six his father deserted the family. His mother remarried a drunk who abused them. He hated to go home after school. He heard about an after school meeting for teens where they served punch and cookies. Giving him a reason to stay away from home he started attending Young Life meetings. Through YL he came to know Jesus Christ. I doubt that the lady who baked the cookies and fixed the punch thought she was engaged in great Kingdom work. She was going about doing good, leaving the outcome to the Lord.
The American church is caught up in celebrity Christianity. Emphasis on visibility, popularity, and prosperity alter the scriptural teaching. Very few are called to a public platform… probably even fewer than we currently have. I met a woman who was a minister after speaking at a national conference. She was struggling with her calling. We talked about it and she wrote me saying, “Fred, I don’t have to be famous, do I? I don’t have to be well known to be a faithful Christian, do I?” Then she went on to tell me about an experience. She went to visit a classmate of her daughter’s who was jailed for prostitution and drugs. As she sat down with the girl she asked, “How are you?” The young woman defiantly answered, “Just fine, okay?” I answered her, “That is good. I just want to tell you God loves you and I would like to be your friend.” As I said this the girl got up from her seat, moved to me sobbing. We stood there hugging. I doubt this woman ever preached a more eloquent, inspired sermon. Right there in her daily circumstances she was going about doing good.
This week carefully think about: 1) How clear am I on the opportunities to do good? 2) What is before me right now for doing good? 3) Who models day to day intentional following Jesus?
Words of Wisdom: “There is no small good versus large good. There is no hierarchy of good in God’s economy.”
Wisdom from the Word: “So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. “ (Galatians 6:9 NET Bible)