FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART
OP / ED BY DR. ROBERT KENNEDY
Over the last few weeks, several disasters have occurred across the United States and the world, but I take note of Turkey and India, where buildings have collapsed. The report is that trains have derailed, hundreds of people have been injured, many have died, and some have been poisoned, all because of the carelessness of engineers and contractors who short-shifted their work. And the painful thing is that the greed of those in charge is to be blamed. In the interest of making a few extra bucks, they put people’s lives at risk. They did not follow the codes required for safety.
Political leaders in the parliaments and congresses of many countries are making policies based on extremist ideologies of cost cuttings rather than the safety of people. Interestingly, because of the susceptibility of many of the citizenry, the politicians are not being punished. I wish that it could be understood by more of our public leaders that to care is to preserve lives.
In our world of brokenness, we must show that we care. The following epoch-making words attributed to President Teddy Roosevelt are often quoted to leaders: “Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Here are a few more quotes from prominent leaders: “Never be so busy as not to think of others,” – Mother Teresa, Founder of the Missionaries of Charity that served in slums of India.
“Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life,” – Actor Jackie Chan.
“Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have,” – Anthropologist Margret Mead.
“Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again,” by the author, Og Mandino.
I could give many more quotes from those who have recognized that our world needs more caring people, but I conclude with this simple command that the apostle Paul gave to the church in Corinth, “Care for one another,” (1 Corinthians 12:25).
As is told when all is said and done, people may admire how much you know, how well versed you are in your field (medical doctor, mechanic, lawyer, engineer, community leader, and teacher), how famous you are, how well you dress, and how much money you might have, etc., but they will remember more your acts of kindness, your caring attitude, and your selflessness for many years to come. Jesus is remembered for his self-giving life on earth. He came into the world to seek and save the lost and give his life for it.
On the night before his arrest, he could have taken his exit from the world and returned to the Father, but he loved his disciples so much that he got up from supper, girded himself with a towel, and washed the disciples’ feet. (cf. John 13). The point is that it takes at least the seven following things to show that we care.
- Love – Self-giving love
- Compassion – Consideration for others
- Empathy – Understanding others
- Humility – Getting down off the high horse
- Personal sacrifice – Paying the cost – suffering personal loss
- Vulnerability – Open the heart to others
- Godliness – Modeling the goodness of God
Ed Welch has written a guide for small groups showing how caring about others can help build trust and strengthen personal relationships. By expressing empathy and understanding, we can create a sense of belonging and connection with those around us. This can lead to deeper, more meaningful relationships and a greater sense of fulfillment for both the person receiving care and the person doing the caring. By caring for others, we can find a sense of purpose and pride that goes beyond our personal interests. He argues it well that caring also has a positive impact on the broader world.
When we show empathy and compassion for those who are less fortunate, it can inspire us to take action to make the world a better place. This can lead to a more just and equitable society, benefiting the person receiving the care and others facing the same challenges.
Part of my call for caring comes in the powerful appeal from one of my morning devotionals: “The angels of God are seeking to attract us from ourselves and earthly things. Let them not labor in vain.” – (Faith I Live By, 171). We need to care for one another more. Let us practice caring.
