Good to Great
“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.” - Galatians 6:7-10 NLT
When I read this text, it brings to mind my country. A country where in many ways wrong has become right and what is right and good has become wrong. Or at the least, right and wrong have somehow been meshed together into some kind of gray. Where right and good have suddenly become “what is right and good in the eyes of the beholder.” Where what I believe to be right and good and what you believe to be right and good may not necessarily be the same thing. Thus, the morality of America is breaking down and has been for quite some time.
And there are so many who are “so tired of being sick and tired.”
Yet, I especially love the part of the text that says, “Do not tire of doing good.” No matter what may be going on around us. No matter what changes are happening or what new decay we may be seeing, “Do not tire of doing good.”
Greatness begins with our goodness. Do not tire of doing good.
As I read Paul’s words to the Galatians, I was reminded of a quote I read the other day from French writer Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831.
"I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests -- and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning--and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution -- and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!"
Upon reading the quote, my heart stirred and said, “That’s what I’m supposed to be about. That’s what the Old Lazy Dog GDA is supposed to be about. To help us all go further, go deeper in our faith walk. To help us see God at work around us in the big things and in the little. To help us choose good and pure and right. To help us shine for Jesus at home, in the community, in the work place, on the campuses. To help us put our faith to work. To be good so that the place where we live will be great.”
Greatness begins with our goodness... Do not tire of doing good.
Keep the Faith... Carpe Diem
