A Good and Generous New Year
As I write this article, thinking about the New Year, I keep thinking about this question that the followers of John the Baptist asked: What are we to do?
And now, looking ahead, even beyond the Season of Christmas, I’m filled with wonder (and concern) about how we do the good work we are to do. We continue to live in times of great injustice and marginalization, which leads us to draw in, hunker down, and protect what we have. This impulse makes sense. But John’s teaching reminds us to be generous and giving of what we have.
Be good to one another. Not only in how we share our time and talents, which are gifts we must always steward well. But beyond this, can we be generously good to one another in this new year? How do we do this? How do we “be good” to one another? Well, here are a few ideas.
Be Present – First, we practice generosity by paying attention and maintaining presence wherever we are. I’m reminded of the readerboard statement I pass every day: “The best place to be is here.” By being present, we can attend to the needs of others that God has placed in our lives. Be present.
Be Humble – This means swallowing our pride and forgoing the need to be right. This is humility. Be humble. Give others the benefit of the doubt, trusting that each person you meet is doing the very best they can with what they have. Remember when you felt like you weren’t enough, but someone helped you remember how loved you were. Be humble.
Be Kind – In polarizing times, we can still be kind. When we disagree, we can still be kind. We can treat each person we meet with dignity and respect as beloved children of God. In all things, we can have a consistent ethic of kindness, regardless of the circumstances. To be kind, even when the world tells us to be perfect, correct, or on top…well, it’s countercultural and changes lives. Be kind.
Presence, humility, and kindness change the world and transform small communities like ours. In the year ahead, we must practice these things: Be present to what God puts in your daily path. Be humble, accepting your limitations and the capacity of others. Be kind, offering respect and dignity to all people, regardless of whether you like them, agree with them, or think you know more than them.
How will we endure times of struggle, division, and the shifting sands of culture, politics, government, and public life? We will push on by modeling the way of Jesus, who taught us to love our neighbors (and our enemies) and to be generous with one another.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Seth