What Shapes Our Lives

Through the past year, there have been events that caused me to pause and think about life. Personal evaluation. Analyze who I am, and what I’ve become, along with thinking about where I’m headed.

More than ever I’m ready to check out my actions, thoughts, and responses. There’s nothing earth-shattering at work here because my belief system is founded on a bedrock of certainty.

Yet, this morning, while trying to read for a few moments I realized, again, how much of my life is shaped by the choices I make. What I choose to listen to, or watch, is reflective of my identity. Who I choose to follow, and what kind of sports I enjoy the most. Which genre of entertainment calls me with a siren song, and which totally turns me off. How turned off I am with foul language, even to the point of negating any positives that may come from the source.

Driving my bride to work this morning I let the silence steep like tea in hot water. Why? There’s strong flavor at work when silence is enjoyed. Besides, and I ran through a litany of thoughts I could share, there wasn’t really much to talk about.

My task list is full of duties, but I want to pause and think this through. This is not a single thought about this idea, but I’m sure I will collect other nuggets along the way of pursuing this to a logical conclusion.

What Shapes Our Lives

Someone asked me a question recently, “As the oldest child, did you feel a responsibility to help raise your younger siblings?” My response was, “Yep.” But that’s not a good answer. I’m not responsible for raising my siblings, but I am accountable to myself on how I relate to them. Perhaps this is a “nurture vs nature” thought, but it’s also how I connect to others around me. As a pastor, fellow worker, husband, father, and neighbor.

I sincerely care.

Perhaps that’s the first thing that I could name that shapes who I am. What about you? If you care for anyone, you could care for everyone. True. There are limits to your abilities and reach, but the idea that you show concern for life’s challenges indicates you have a caring spirit. Otherwise, it could simply be you are heartless.

That worries me about a lot of people I know.

Someone shared a video in one of my social feeds, and it makes me wonder if we are not training ourselves at a young age to care for others. [Watch here] A toddler is sharing food with his family. Selflessly. Care for others before caring for themselves.

Pause for a moment. Think it through. You will find examples all over the place about this concept of caring.

The Good Samaritan

Jesus is addressed by a “lawyer” which was essentially someone schooled in the Mosaic Law. He wanted to know how to “inherit eternal life”, to which Jesus asked, “What does the law say?” The Lawyer was not slow to answer.

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind.’ And ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.'”
(Luke 10:27 GW)

But then the lawyer asked, “Who’s my neighbor?” That opened up the lesson that Jesus taught and we’ve titled it the Good Samaritan. You know it so well. It shows up only in the Gospel of Luke. (10:25-37). At the conclusion, Jesus asked if anyone could identify who was the “most neighborly” (my interpretation). The answer? The one who cared.

What identifies the shape of my life the most? The Love of Christ, and the Love I reciprocate to others. Love equates to caring for my neighbor, even the stranger who needs it the most.

Think It Through

We are quick to throw daggers with our lips, eyes, and actions to those who stress us out the most. Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek, give our extra coat freely when sued, and go the extra mile. (Matthew 5:38-42).

He then taught us to love.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you this: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.
In this way you show that you are children of your Father in heaven.
He makes his sun rise on people whether they are good or evil.
He lets rain fall on them whether they are just or unjust.
If you love those who love you, do you deserve a reward?
Even the tax collectors do that!
Are you doing anything remarkable if you welcome only your friends?
Everyone does that!
That is why you must be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.
(Matthew 5:43-48 GW)

Notice his conclusion. Perfection is reached when you show Love and act from a foundation of Love.

Abraham Lincoln had every opportunity to condemn to death soldiers who deserted and were guilty of other similar offenses. He looked for justification to not follow through. In fact, he states:

“I am trying to avoid the butchering business lately.”
~Abraham Lincoln (January 7, 1864)

Maybe this kind of statement should shape our lives and the world would be a better place.

My prayer. Lord help me to have a strong foundation of love for you and others and help me show my love with my actions of care for everyone.