Compromise
When there is a huge debate going on in politics and the two major parties cannot agree we often hear the word compromise tossed around. Simply put they are trying to come up with a solution suitable to both debating parties. The end result is usually a watered down version of the original and in most cases the effectiveness is not there.
There is a place for compromise. Especially when the opposing sides have the best interest of the whole in mind and not just the side they are on. In life I often see compromise leaving the suffering to suffer even more. Think about times in history when food is sent to disaster areas and governments argue over its distribution until it’s too late and the donated food spoils. I also see compromise involving money. More often than not, the people sitting on the boards get photo ops and news articles written about how they came together to form a united solution to a problem. It all looks a little too good to the unknowing public but the people they were trying to help are no closer to relief than they were before.
This is an all too common problem. It never really matters whether it involves our homes, our churches, or even our close friends or at our work places. I recall in Acts 4:33 where it says “there were no needy people among them”. The reason was because Christianity was fresh on their minds and they were excited to truly help each other without the need for personal recognition. There were no parties to support and no opposing factions. The needs of the people were dealt with because they understood that they were truly one in Christ.
I spoke to a person yesterday that was suffering greatly with life in general. As we talked it became clear to me that he had nothing to be proud of in his own eyes. Sure, he worked and had a nice home but there wasn’t anything that he could feel the passion and compassion for like helping those in need. When we have no outlet to extend God’s love, our lives become consumed with satisfaction of self until that void becomes so vast that we are left in a state of depression.
Jesus made it clear that we are to help those in need. In fact, the strongest message expressed in the Bible is that we are to love others as we love ourselves. We are to give our best, and we are to cherish life until death. I think that this wonderful model of love gets diluted at times when the proverbial line is drawn in the sand. Sadly, a superficial compromise is often proposed to satisfy the needs of the few. Very seldom these days do you see people fighting to help those in actual need. What you see on the news and in print are the people in the battle but you never see or hear from the people they are battling for. If you don’t believe or trust that statement just read today’s newspaper or turn on the evening news and your mind will be changed.
In closing I ask you to review your stance on the things you feel the most compassionate about. See if you are helping the problem or creating roadblocks that keep the solution from being developed. Again, Christ specifically taught us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Christ was not referring to the folks next door he was speaking of the whole of humanity.
If you want to feel good about yourself then just lend a hand to someone else. Attempt to do this in complete silence. Feel the love grow in your heart as lives are directly changed. The greatest change of all will manifest in you yourself. Not only do the needy deserve help but so do you because you my friend are part of those in need. God Bless.
Peace and love
Dale Childress
There is a place for compromise. Especially when the opposing sides have the best interest of the whole in mind and not just the side they are on. In life I often see compromise leaving the suffering to suffer even more. Think about times in history when food is sent to disaster areas and governments argue over its distribution until it’s too late and the donated food spoils. I also see compromise involving money. More often than not, the people sitting on the boards get photo ops and news articles written about how they came together to form a united solution to a problem. It all looks a little too good to the unknowing public but the people they were trying to help are no closer to relief than they were before.
This is an all too common problem. It never really matters whether it involves our homes, our churches, or even our close friends or at our work places. I recall in Acts 4:33 where it says “there were no needy people among them”. The reason was because Christianity was fresh on their minds and they were excited to truly help each other without the need for personal recognition. There were no parties to support and no opposing factions. The needs of the people were dealt with because they understood that they were truly one in Christ.
I spoke to a person yesterday that was suffering greatly with life in general. As we talked it became clear to me that he had nothing to be proud of in his own eyes. Sure, he worked and had a nice home but there wasn’t anything that he could feel the passion and compassion for like helping those in need. When we have no outlet to extend God’s love, our lives become consumed with satisfaction of self until that void becomes so vast that we are left in a state of depression.
Jesus made it clear that we are to help those in need. In fact, the strongest message expressed in the Bible is that we are to love others as we love ourselves. We are to give our best, and we are to cherish life until death. I think that this wonderful model of love gets diluted at times when the proverbial line is drawn in the sand. Sadly, a superficial compromise is often proposed to satisfy the needs of the few. Very seldom these days do you see people fighting to help those in actual need. What you see on the news and in print are the people in the battle but you never see or hear from the people they are battling for. If you don’t believe or trust that statement just read today’s newspaper or turn on the evening news and your mind will be changed.
In closing I ask you to review your stance on the things you feel the most compassionate about. See if you are helping the problem or creating roadblocks that keep the solution from being developed. Again, Christ specifically taught us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Christ was not referring to the folks next door he was speaking of the whole of humanity.
If you want to feel good about yourself then just lend a hand to someone else. Attempt to do this in complete silence. Feel the love grow in your heart as lives are directly changed. The greatest change of all will manifest in you yourself. Not only do the needy deserve help but so do you because you my friend are part of those in need. God Bless.
Peace and love
Dale Childress
Comments