Doing Good

You know, today i read something in my email, and it really got me thinking. The scripture was Matthew 4:23, "And He (Jesus) healed every kind of illness", and afterwards was a question. "Do you focus on doing good for people?" This question really got me thinking. I've read the gospels many times, and every time i've seen Jesus heal the sick and lame and demon possessed. I've always seen the miracles in his healing, and i've always seen his willingness and desire to heal, but i always missed the good deed itself. Or maybe i saw it, but never thought about it as a good deed. I guess i always tended to focus on the miracle and the results of the miracle and bypass the fact that, hey that's a nice thing to do, that's a good deed.

I remember a time i was living in San Diego, (how i loved it there), and i was out to lunch with a group of friends after church one day. We were waiting patiently to be seated, and i just happened to be by the door. Now it being lunchtime on a sunday, the restaurant was rather busy. People were constantly going in and out. Since i was standing by the door, every time someone would walk towards the door, i would quietly and politely open it so they could walk through. Now several people walked through, most of them not even giving me a glance, and maybe one said thank you.

A short time later, a friend of mine asked why i kept holding the door open. She told me she used to do that for people, but she never got a thank you, a smile, or even an acknowledgement. People would walk on by completely ignoring her gesture, so she quit doing it, she said. I responded by telling her, "I don't hold the door for people to get a thank you. I hold the door open because its the polite thing to do." Now i know it's not healing someone who is sick, but i'm pretty sure this still counts as a good deed right? I mean if nothing else, i'm sure it's something Jesus would have done.

And now i find myself desiring that attitude, that spirit, that heart again. You know, to buy somebody a coffee, or a meal, or just hold a door for them. You know, maybe pull through a drive thru and pay for the person behind me as well, or pay for 2 drinks and let the cashier know i just bought the next person's beverage. Too many times, i find myself wishing people a nice day, or a good day, but i don't do anything to make their day any better, nor do i show any sincere interest in what they are going through. This has to change. We are called to serve. We are called to love, and it's a lot easier to show God's love through our actions, it's a lot easier to show that we care through our actions. So let our actions show God's love first, and let our words come second.

Galatians 6:9-10 - 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

In God's everlasting Love,

Jaime Whosoever