By Steven Temple

Contributing Columnist

 

Over the past nine or ten years we have seen a major change in this country. Not in size, not in shape, not in physical measurements, but in the way people treat one another. So much has shifted from helping our neighbor to ignoring our neighbor. From giving a smile to speaking ill.

We live in a country that made itself popular and strong from its comradery over the last 200 years. A place where we all looked out for one another and were willing to help in any shape or form possible. But as we look over the past decade, there has been a shift.

Friends are no longer friends. Families are at friction. Those without common interests or beliefs no longer speak friendly to one another. Hatred runs deep and rampant at almost any place that you look. Hurtful words are spoken without even a thought of the damage they cause. Sad times that we see all over this country. A great divide has taken place. We find people who do not align with certain thoughts or ideas on the opposite side of the spectrum can not even have a civil conversation without resorting to some type of violence, whether it is physical, verbal, or emotional.

The Bible teaches us that we should help one another in any way possible. If we have a means to do so we should help. Especially to those who are down and out and hurting along the way. The time has come that we must put aside the rhetoric and begin to heal. The only way we can heal is to first heal within ourselves. Nothing will bless you greater than lifting someone in this life. It can be a simple word, a helping hand, a hug, or just a friendly smile. Actions always speak louder than words.

Galatians 6 is one of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible. Galatians 6:1 says, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” It is speaking directly to us of the church to be the helping hand, the lifting hand, to those that have failed along the way. If we would just stop and consider that it could be us in these situations then how different will we react? What if the one that is down is your child? Your next moment could change in a blink of an eye. That could be you or someone in your family.

Galatians 6 goes on to say, in the very next verse, verse 2, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Those that are down, we should help carry their burden instead of kicking them while they are down. We should find joy in helping others grow or achieve things in this life. There is no joy in giving or receiving when you further push someone down. We must help one another in this life. It is needful for us to be the helping hand, the listening ear, whatever mode or assistance someone needs. We can simply be whatever they need and possibly change the entire outcome. We may not be able to change the world but we may be able to change someone’s world.

People may have a long list of things against me or you in this life. They may pass judgment at every opportunity. People may not like the way that we dress, the clothes we wear, or a many number of things but we should live our lives in such a way that no one will ever be able to say that we were not good to them. Let us not look at how people treat us in order to determine how we treat them. We will not be judged for how people treat us but we will stand one day and be judged for how we treated others.

Let us change the narrative today. Let us change how we act and react. Let us build and not destroy. When we all help then we all will win. Don’t turn a blind eye or a deaf ear. Instead, be the voice that represents the good in you. If you have a way of helping, see it as a blessing that you are in the position to do so!

 

Pastor Steven Temple is the Pastor of The Church on the Hill in Rose Hill, VA. You can reach Pastor Steven at pastor.steven.temple@gmail.com