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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
Do It Anyway
August 3, 2007
You could tell he was really steamed by the way his face turned beat red
as he was telling the story. My friend, Denny, had reached out and done
the compassionate thing. On a hot and humid afternoon he came to the
rescue of a young couple whose car had run out of gas not far from his
home.
They arrived on his doorstep looking innocent enough. Their story brought
him back to the days of his own careless youth. He immediately offered
them what they needed and in minutes they were off with a five gallon can
filled with gasoline. Feeling satisfied that he had done the right thing,
Denny went on with his business without giving it another thought.
A few hours later it dawned on him that the couple had never returned
with his gas can. It was just a little thing but it grated on him like a pebble
caught up in his shoe. The more he thought about it, the more angry he
got. He hadn't asked for any identification. He had refused their offer of
money. His only thought had been the words of Christ who said, "Give to
the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to
borrow from you." Innocently enough Denny never figured that anyone
would take advantage of his good nature when he performed this mitzpah,
this good deed..
We've all stood in Denny's shoes at one time or another haven't we? God
calls us to reach out and do good. We hear the words of I Timothy 6 that
say, "Do good, be rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing to
share." Many of us live by the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you!" We see someone in need and we do what we
hope someone will do for us if we are ever in that position.
It doesn't always work out though. Jesus knew that better than anyone.
Remember the story in Luke 17 where he came upon ten men suffering
from leprosy. He healed them and they all went away rejoicing. Then one
of the men, realizing the gift he had just received, came back to thank him.
Jesus asked, "Where are the other nine?" Denny's story reminds us that the
nine are still out there.
So what should we do? What should I say to Denny to encourage him? I
think Mother Theresa said it best in her poem, "Do It Anyway." She begins
with the reality that people are often unreasonable, illogical and
self-centered and she calls us to forgive them anyway. She says if you are
honest and frank that people may cheat you, but be honest and frank
anyway. She goes on with a litany of the way the world will try to beat us
down. Then Mother Theresa reminds us that in the final analysis it isn't
between them and us. It is between us and God. We should not let what
they say or do stop us from doing what pleases God.
So Denny, next time someone comes along looking for some gas. They
may cheat you and abuse your generous heart. But give it to them anyway.
For God will see your kind heart and he will repay you tenfold whatever
they took from you. That's his promise. He always delivers. Just ask
Mother Theresa.
God bless! See you in church. Cal
August 3, 2007
You could tell he was really steamed by the way his face turned beat red
as he was telling the story. My friend, Denny, had reached out and done
the compassionate thing. On a hot and humid afternoon he came to the
rescue of a young couple whose car had run out of gas not far from his
home.
They arrived on his doorstep looking innocent enough. Their story brought
him back to the days of his own careless youth. He immediately offered
them what they needed and in minutes they were off with a five gallon can
filled with gasoline. Feeling satisfied that he had done the right thing,
Denny went on with his business without giving it another thought.
A few hours later it dawned on him that the couple had never returned
with his gas can. It was just a little thing but it grated on him like a pebble
caught up in his shoe. The more he thought about it, the more angry he
got. He hadn't asked for any identification. He had refused their offer of
money. His only thought had been the words of Christ who said, "Give to
the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to
borrow from you." Innocently enough Denny never figured that anyone
would take advantage of his good nature when he performed this mitzpah,
this good deed..
We've all stood in Denny's shoes at one time or another haven't we? God
calls us to reach out and do good. We hear the words of I Timothy 6 that
say, "Do good, be rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing to
share." Many of us live by the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you!" We see someone in need and we do what we
hope someone will do for us if we are ever in that position.
It doesn't always work out though. Jesus knew that better than anyone.
Remember the story in Luke 17 where he came upon ten men suffering
from leprosy. He healed them and they all went away rejoicing. Then one
of the men, realizing the gift he had just received, came back to thank him.
Jesus asked, "Where are the other nine?" Denny's story reminds us that the
nine are still out there.
So what should we do? What should I say to Denny to encourage him? I
think Mother Theresa said it best in her poem, "Do It Anyway." She begins
with the reality that people are often unreasonable, illogical and
self-centered and she calls us to forgive them anyway. She says if you are
honest and frank that people may cheat you, but be honest and frank
anyway. She goes on with a litany of the way the world will try to beat us
down. Then Mother Theresa reminds us that in the final analysis it isn't
between them and us. It is between us and God. We should not let what
they say or do stop us from doing what pleases God.
So Denny, next time someone comes along looking for some gas. They
may cheat you and abuse your generous heart. But give it to them anyway.
For God will see your kind heart and he will repay you tenfold whatever
they took from you. That's his promise. He always delivers. Just ask
Mother Theresa.
God bless! See you in church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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