Doing good requires deliberate action on our part. While it may be easier to do good for those we love or who are good to us, Jesus pushes us further and said: “…love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” [1]
Hmmm….This seems pretty difficult at times, doesn’t it? Still, I’m guessing that more often than not, when we have found the grace and fortitude to do so, our relationship with the other person(s) changed for the better. The command is universal – we are to intentionally do good to and for everyone regardless because he or she is a child of God and loved by God just as we are.
Former United Methodist Bishop Rueben Job writes, doing good “…will require an even more bold and radical step than not doing harm to those who may disagree with me and even seek to harm me. For now I am committing myself to seeking good for everyone in my world and everyone in God’s world.” [2]
God calls us to love one another. It might take some care to figure out exactly how to do that in certain situations, but it is our charge nonetheless. A few good words and a few good deeds in the right place at the right time can work miracles. Opportunities abound, my friend.
This Sunday is Pentecost, where we will celebrate the presence of the Holy Spirit breathing in on us, giving us power to accomplish what we cannot on our own, and guiding our way. How might the Holy Spirit be leading you these days to do good whether you feel like it or not? Come, Holy Spirit, come!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Cathy
[1] Luke 6:27-28
[2] Rueben P. Job, Three Simple Rules A Wesleyan Way of Living, Abingdon Press, Nashville, TN, pg. 38.