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Good vs. ‘Good’

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10

‘Do not forget to do good and to share…’ (Hebrews 13:16). So what does ‘doing good’ mean in these verses? A bit of charity direct-debiting, a bit of schoolyard style ‘you can have a piece of my gum because you gave me a crispy yesterday’? There’s that. Those things are okay, but not as the upper limits of a ‘good life.’ It’s easy giving when people give to you and taking when other people take. Then there’s the life of Jesus, what we’re called to be like. Often we must choose between the world’s ‘good’ and God’s good (this choice happens every day, not just in Sunday School lessons). St Francis of Assisi summed up what he thought living out God’s good looked like in this prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

It’s different. It’s difficult. But with God’s life in you, you start to realize, and let out, your natural compassionate side. Living it out is when you are most truly and joy-filled-ly yourself.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me be an instrument of Your nature, of Your presence, to those who are suffering. In Jesus’ Name, Amen