Loyalty III - THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

. . . and became obedient to the point of death . . . 

 - From Philippians II

There was a young lady that went off to college. One day, she was a high school leader with confidence and a fierce independent streak. She was known for her common sense, her ability to cut through the nonsense, to the logic and sensible answer.

That was one day. But the next, she was in college, and soon came under the influence, and spell, of college professors and academics - people that never had to balance a budget, make a payroll, feed a family, manage a will with multiple siblings, save for contingencies, or worry about losing their job for a temporary lapse of judgment. 

College professors - typically young and with something "cool" about them . . . a rebellious streak that makes them appear as being in control; and "expertise" borne by hours of research, spent in proving, not disproving, their favored hypotheses.

The young college freshperson soon found herself at a large political rally. People were carrying signs and wearing hats, and other gear, that is distinctly and deliberately insulting to large swaths of society. Photos of her, at this rally. appeared on Social media, where they were viewed by friends and family.

She needed some money and asked her grandfather for help. He gave her the money she needed, but said "I don't want to see pictures of you at political rallies any more." And she said "You won't."

End of story . . . or, should be the end of the story.

We owe our elders so much. We owe them our trust in their wisdom. We owe them our loyalty. 

But loyalty, the concept, has fallen on hard times. We put politics ahead of familial love. We put friends we will forget in ten years, ahead of family that will never let us down. Age brings wisdom and perspective. 

Jesus' obedience to God cost Him His life. He humbled Himself completely, so that we could have eternal life. But the price He paid, was everything. All that pain that Christ endured? It was real, and it was intense. But that's loyalty for you.

The Seventh Day of Christmas is the "Leave-Taking of the Nativity." You grow up. You move on. You get serious. You start thinking about the long term, about the price we must pay, to gain eternal benefits. 

The Seventh Day of Christmas should be a day we celebrate our elders, and commit to them, to make them proud. 

I care more about what my grandparents think of me, than almost anybody . . . and the last one of them to die, was now nine years ago. I believe they would do anything for me, if I needed it. They would never let me down.

But professors, friends, employers, and politicians, will drop me as soon as they can no longer use me.

Give me someone to be loyal to. Give me someone that has modeled it best, but being loyal to me, although I deserve it very little. 

Loyalty II (SA) - THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 

 - From Galatians 3

John Beilein, who in about ten years has become the greatest basketball coach in history, for the University of Michigan (and maybe, for all sports) simplified his approach as follows:

"It's all about the process."

You teach a process, a system . . . a system that can be learned. You develop ways to measure and track performance and improvement. You study deviations from the process, in order to identify areas to change, so that you can get continual improvement.

Like the Total Quality Management movement in manufacturing, which came into vogue in the 1990s (plus a whole plethora of other very good innovations in management), Coach Beilein realizes that a sound process will ensure constant advancements in performance.

I've always felt that God is the ultimate process improvement expert. He is a galactic consultant that helps us find our weak spots, develop our strengths, and therefore strengthen our grip, and perfect our game. But it's His game, His rules . . . His process.

Everything had to be done in its proper order. Humanity was always impatient. We feel like we have more wisdom than our Creator. But, try being a member of Michigan's team, and telling the coach you have a better approach . . .

In telling His story, God likes to start at the beginning. The Old Testament begins with the words "In the beginning." And the Gospel of John also begins with "In the beginning." They are talking about the same events, but from different perspectives. But God begins at the beginning, and slowly reveals a little more of His plan, little by little, all in good time, all in the proper order.

We still think we know it all. We nearly blew the world up, probably many times. We have not solved hunger. We do not fully understand how the ecosystem works. We've probably had countless near-misses on unleashing dangerous pathogens into the human network. All we need is guidance from God . . . but we refuse it, again and again.

John described Jesus - - - he knew Jesus, walked with Him, got to know Him as well as anybody, in three years of daily interaction with Him. He said that Jesus was full of "Grace and Truth."

Grace and Truth. What beautiful words. Grace - - - acceptance, undeserved favor. Jesus us full of Grace, which means He loves being near us. Any of us. All of us. I like to thank Jesus would even walk up to Hitler, melt his heart . . . and change history.

Truth - - - that which is not a lie. He saw Himself, and others clearly. He knows what is wrong, and how to fix it. Jesus has such knowledge, that He can cure any disease with just a touch . . . and while He does amazing things through His understanding of Science and Nature, it is so far above us that we call it a miracle. Whatever He says to you, you can count on it. Take it to the bank.

At the end of the Twenty-first Century's second decade, we are stuck in the same rut we started out in, twenty years ago. Columbine knocked our feet out from under us. 9-11 gave us a taste of Armageddon. Daily images form the war zone, and from the hideaways of terrorists, showed us, first-hand, the very worst that fallen humanity is capable of. Images pelted away at us, day after day - - - X-rated was no longer a rarity. By the age of eleven, the average child has seen anything, and everything, imaginable. Mass shooters proliferated. Our elections have gotten more and more bitter, as the Global economy seems to be overtaken by Global divisions that grow more and more dangerous.

It's as if the Tree of Knowledge has been unleashed to the modern age: infinite knowledge and ideas are within reach of all of us. The "f-word" is commonplace . . . and the most horrible motives are now linked to the most innocent of expressions (Baby It's Cold Outside).

Everybody's a criminal. Everybody's crazy. Everybody's sinister. Everybody's "The Other." Everybody cannot be trusted. Everybody's a narcissist. Everybody's violent. And Everybody's a racist.

We mock Grace and believe there is no such thing as Truth. We crave both and condemn anybody we think may lack either . . . and act as though we are deserving of neither.

Into this setting . . . as He has done over and over again . . . for two Millennia now; The Son of God comes. He re-enters a world, over and over again . . . that has no Grace, and no truth.

And He offers both to us, in abundance.

Loyalty (SA) - THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS

 If the Lord had not been on our side . . . 

 - From Psalm 124

When I was a kid, and families were large, there was one leveling factor that worked in the favor of smaller, dumber, nerdier, weaker, and uglier kids:

Almost everybody had an older brother, or cousin, that would stand up for them. 

I was not a big kid, and outwardly, not very tough looking. But it didn't matter. I was "Little Darr," and my brother was "Darr." He was the starting quarterback, an athlete, and a kid that would fight. Nobody would mess with me. And he had big friends. A block and a half from our house, was my brother's best friend, Pat Cotturone. If people didn't know my brother, but they knew Pat, then I had it made. 

A bunch of bigger kids from another neighborhood came into our block once. They didn't know me, or the two or three little squirts that were with me. We got a head start into our block, and as we turned up into  my yard, out came my brother and two or three of his defensive lineman friends. The other kids turned around, ran, and never came back. 

There's a downside, of course. My little brother came after me, and everybody always underestimated his athletic abilities. 

But in the end, everything evens out. It turns out that that there's nothing so effective at leveling the playing field, as the loyalty of friends and family. And there's nothing so nurturing and caring for all members of a community, than a large family that can see to your needs. 

We shouldn't need help from government . . . and probably don't.

Loyalty is a virtue that gets undervalued. We see people all the time, at an alarmingly increasing rate, turning their backs on people that are counting on them. 

Young people, today, turn their backs on the family that nurtured and sacrificed for them . . . because of some fringe group on the West Coast that will accept them "as they are." People turn their backs on their aging grandparents, in order to have fun with friends they will never remember in ten years. They unfriend family on Facebook, because of politics, and embrace f-bomb-wielding strangers, on a account of some likes and shares.

We've got to be able to count on people . . . when they let us down, it feeds anger, resentment, bitterness, and in extreme cases: rage. Loyalty is not a premium today. The divorce rate, and frequent moves of families with children, testifies to the problem.

Shooters go into malls and gun down strangers. We all want an answer, but we won't let anyone introduce the problem of disloyalty as a root cause. 

And yet, loyalty may be the glue that makes caring, and fairness happen. 

God is loyal to us. He is unconditionally loyal to us. He has made a promise He will keep . . . even if we renege on our end of the deal. The Father of Time has our backs, for all time. 

And if God so values loyalty . . . shouldn't we?

Fairness X (SA) - THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS

But as for me, here I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. 

 - From Jeremiah 26

The Christmas story, of course, is not all peace and gentleness. The second day of Christmas is the Feast of Stephen. And Stephen was the first Christian martyr. He was stoned to death simply for expressing a viewpoint. He honestly expressed what was on his mind. And for that, he was put to death at the gory hands of an out-of-control mob.

We want fairness. But one person's fairness is another person's unfairness. I don't see how you ever set it completely right, via human intervention. 

Yes, we want a balanced system of criminal justice. We want grades to be assigned fairly. We want the best players to start. We want the most worthy person to get the raise. 

But when we adjust our systems so that it is more of a level playing field, someone, inevitably, will feel that the playing field has been fixed to favor others, unfairly. 

Fairness works, until a dictator, or a mob (both despotic) gains an upper hand and changes the rules to favor a different group of people. 

Jeremiah expressed real fairness. "If I do the right thing, it may stir you up in hate towards me and I may lose my life. Okay then."

Believers cannot afford the luxury of demanding fairness. They can only express it in their own personal lives, and thus influence others to act with integrity. But we all know that the person with integrity ultimately gets handed a growing list of enemies. We all seem to want the option of playing dirty, when it suits us well. We really don't want blind fairness . . . this seems to limit our sense of control over things. 

Evil, and control over others. They seem to go hand in hand. 

Stephen was treated unfairly. But salvation was bestowed upon him fairly. The eternal life that he wins will be no more nor less than anybody else that gains immortality. 

We have now looked at two major criteria that people take with them into the voting booth: They look for candidates that care for the needy, and that want to establish fairness. But we have found that the greatest leverage over both of these virtues are not to be found in politicians, but in our own hearts, and our day-to-day interactions. 

And that is a challenging aspiration, indeed!! We have to be godlike, to really care, and really treat others with fairness! 

We are better off with Stephen's, and Jeremiah's simple devotion to truth and real love . . . and their acquiescence in the outcome. 

Fairness IX (SA)

... for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

 - From Luke 1

God makes everything right, in time. And usually, He makes it right . . . now.

But He takes care of things. We can leave it all in His hands.

The world is not a fair place. But the eternal plane is. And there's a judgment day, where all that is secret is made right, where all debts are paid in full. There's a reason Christ is called our "Redeemer," for He has paid all of our debts, for us. 

We try, in vain, to come up with human approaches to making all things fair. Yes, we do want institutions in place to pass judgment on disputing parties. We want criminals out of society. We want the playing field level. We know that if all of us are given a chance to excel, that the overall tide rises for all of us. My success is closely linked to yours, and vice versa. We need fairness for others, for that is how we get fairness for ourselves.

So, we lurch back and forth in making the world fair. But it seems that, in the end, fairness for one person come at the loss of fairness for another. One group gets a break, but the other group loses their break. 

We want it fair for all, in principle. But the lesson of the last twenty years seems to be that, you can't make it right for one group, without making it wrong for another. 

This doesn't mean we shouldn't try. It does mean we should attempt full fairness with our eyes wide open. 

It's good that we can leave the subject of fairness in God's hands.

That's really the big part of Christmas. God's gift, in Christ, is that He really is looking our for the lowliest among us. He listens. He hears. He sees. And He acts. 

The political approach just leaves half the population angry. And that just doesn't seem fair at all. 

The godly approach meets people where they are, where they live. It accepts them as they are. It inquires into their needs, and addresses them. The godly approach takes chances, opens hearts, is vulnerable. It sacrifices. 

And it is the best we can do, to make the world a fair place. 

Fairness VIII (SA)

For you need endurance . . . 

 - From Hebrews 10

In a perfect world, that is totally just and equitable, there is nothing to endure. If our fairness was made into perfection, it would probably mean that we had even invented a cure for death, and that we also discovered the secret to resurrecting all who ever lived. 

Imagine all of history's characters being revived into a perfect world that is perfectly fair! Even the most notorious criminals of all time would be given a second chance. But in the perfectly fair arrangement, there would never be any budding resentment that grows into evil. 

The World of Fairness Perfection would render selfishness an impossibility. You cannot be fair if you have even a sliver of self-interest. You would ensure that everyone with whom you come into contact ended up with equal chances and opportunities as you yourself have. And your proof would be outcomes for all, that are equal. 

Your other proof would be a sense of consensus win-win for everybody. It would be impossible for any one to disagree with our approach. Every viewpoint would be honored. Yes . . . a person desiring fairness must not deny others a viewpoint that is different than their own. 

The perfect world is a happy place where no one cries, no one hurts, no one wants, and no one dies. 

But . . . 

If this were something to be expected in this life . . . why would the writer of Hebrews urge us to "endure" anything?

Scripture (and all great world religions and philosophies) place a premium on such virtues as steadfastness, endurance, patience, forbearance, faith. 

God seems way more interested in us dealing with hardship, than He does with us establishing governments that enforce a level playing field. 

Now, it is very important that our government be neutral, and that it protect the weak. No question. 

But when it comes to our personal approach to things, it would be good if we restored the emphasis on patience, and actually welcoming experiences that shape us and toughen us up. 

I believe that our status in the eternal realm is enhanced, if we have had to endure conditions that are not fair. And the perfectly fair world that I described sounds rather boring, to be honest. I am looking forward to it. I welcome it. 

But as we go about making the world a better place . . . can we NOT do so, at the expense of widening divisions and rancor between good people? Can we focus on our own personal practice of justice, without casting judgment on people that pursue it differently? Can we agree to work together on this? 

Fairness VII

Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy.

 - From Psalm 126

I'll go a little personally reflective on this one. This is an apologetic, a baring of the soul. I am going vulnerable now, and invite some push-back and maybe some scorn. 

God is concerned about fairness. It's why we all suffer the same death. The finality of death is exactly equal. It's equivalent and equitable. It is true that our riches and fame do us no good in the grave. And when we are eternal . . . who cares about possessions? The Vulcan saying is true in the world of non-fiction: the universe is comprised of infinite possibilities, in infinite combinations. 

That's what it will be like for all of us. 

If, in eternity, we have the chance to go back and live in the earthly finite plane, once again (or even innumerable times) I am certain we would choose to do so. And we would not choose the easy life. The human soul is immersed in dignity, and we would choose the hard life, over and over again, I'm sure of it. 

We need that perspective.

European Christians have indeed had a good run now, for centuries. They established a culture that can only be described as blessed by God. Most of them realize it is undeserved. We called ourselves "privileged" decades before anyone knew the meaning of the word "Millennial." We challenged ourselves, and one another, to be charitable, sacrificing, kind, equitable, thrifty, hard-working. These are not new concepts. 

But the fact is . . . the long view of history has relegated Christians, and their forbears, as the ultimate marginalized group. Society does not like people with such values as purity, moderation, sacrificial love. Society insists that we take sides, that we join in demonizing others. And Christians, as allies, are the most enviable - - - as if collaboration with Christians gives your cause some legitimacy. 

The reason Christians act as they do, is because there is a long memory in our DNA, of horrible persecutions, brutal and gruesome treatment by the virtually eternal forces of anti-Christendom. And there's a sense, derived from that experience and the witness of Scripture itself, that the good times will not last forever. 

If Christianity is a marginalized group, then I was brought up in a group that was marginalized within Christianity. We had about 60,000 members nationwide, and only a couple hundred total churches. These churches were so spread out, that my family always had to travel far to get to one. We would be the remote members of the church, whose main body of members were mostly local.

We never had school friends in our churches, and the kids our ages (if there were any) in our churches all socialized together, but not with us. 

A margin, of a margin, of a margin. It affected our dating, our career choices. It limited our ability to connect with people on the most fundamental topics and interests. We were always keeping a lot of our views to ourselves . . . because some of it was just not conventional to most people. Some of our beliefs, while benign, seemed odd to others. 

And yet . . . our ethic was to be proud to be small and few in number. We were taught that, the closer you get to truth, the fewer people there are around you. And no matter what your specific beliefs, that is, I'm certain, a universal truth. There is strength in numbers, but there are not numbers in truth.

To me, the idea of "fair" just does not register, not much. If I cared about fair, I would have a whole lot to talk about. If I cared about "fair to me," there would be volumes to write. 

The discussion of fairness is, in many ways, moot.

No matter how bad things get . . . there is a good ending. 

And that runs circles around what you, and I, believe is "not fair."

Fairness VI

And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.

 - From Zephaniah 3

As I begin the second half of these reflections on the subject of "fairness," with a nod towards Advent themes, I am struck with how little space is given to the very theme of "fairness."

Yes, justice is promised to the children of God. But justice is given equal treatment to other themes: the requirement for us to be pure, and to practice godly, i.e. unselfish, sacrificial love.

God's people are not expected to point the finder and holler "That's not fair!" There's a fine line: we should pursue justice and an even playing field for all. We want our justice system to be blindly fair. This is good and we should structure our institutions accordingly.

But when our pursuit of justice is based on our own selfish desires "I want what they have," then it is not godly at all. Our response to unfairness in our personal lives is expected to be, to share with others, even if we're poor.

And, if you're convinced of eternal life, and you have the right perspective . . . why be concerned about how fair things are in this life, and in this world? Do you want the world to be a fair place? Then be fair!

Studies show that all people share two priorities when it comes to how they vote. We all want a community that cares, and we want one that is fair. We look for that in our candidates. And it turns out that people have different definitions of what it means to "care," and to be "fair." (And since our perspectives on these concepts are so divergent, maybe politics is not the place to sort it out).

God cares, deeply, about the outcast. But I think it is the outcast that can't help being outcast. When you go and do things that make you an outcast, rather than making your focus the betterment of others (which is as is should be) then I'm not sure that's what God has in mind. And He definitely cares about those that are outcast, because of their practice of godly purity and charity. Now that is an outcast after God's own heart!

God's got your back. He may not fix things right away. But in the end, He's got you covered. And that's pretty fair.

Fairness V

"Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise."

 - From Luke 3

John the Baptist was conducting a ministry of repentance. He called on people, basically, not to be so full of themselves. 

Crowds of people, not unlike a modern #metoo or #resist movement, followed him. They loved hearing him condemn the wealthy and privileged, but then were shocked as he pronounced them (the crowd) a "den of vipers." 

John knew that people that join a crowd are more joiners than they are courageous, or particularly principled. People like being part of something big. But this counts for nothing when it comes to the most serious matter: eternal life or death. He gave them what few modern crowds ever get: the truth.

The crowds were moved, and asked John "What then, should we do?"

John the Baptist replied:

"Join a political movement. Get the government to raise taxes to help the poor. Put lots of bumper stickers on your chariots. Shout down anyone that disagrees with you, and call them anti-Samaritans. Unfriend anyone that questions or challenges you. And then lets get the right people elected to the government in Rome. Forget about the Judean government - that's not where the action is."

No, actually, John's message to them was summarized in the Scripture sample, above.

Share with the people that have less food, and less clothing, than you do.

When the problem is a lack of fairness, the solution is for you to even the playing field for others, in a sacrificial way. 

You do something about it. You. 

Your political solution just gets people mad at each other, and encouraged people to do their good works in private. 

Votes, and advocating for higher taxes helps no needy person. But it might make you look good to half the population (while making you completely unpersuasive to the other half).

The world is not fair. We want it to be fair. And the only person over whom you have any control, that can do anything about it, is you.

You.

Fairness IV

Let your gentleness be known to everyone.

 - From Philippians 4

We come to a bit of practical advice when it comes to the subject of fairness, and how it impacts out daily lives. 

We all want things to be fair. We want a level playing field. We want our employer to be fair .We want our grades to be fair. We want government to enact laws that are fair. 

One of the earliest concepts that a child learns (close on the heels of learning to say "NO!") is the idea of "That's not fair!!"

Which may indicate that an obsession with fairness is a childish trait. You can't make life fair. You can't force others to be sincerely fair, that don't sincerely want to be. 

But you can be fair. And if you're fair, and people know it, you will have influence that will shine forth to others, that want to follow your example. The way to make the world more fair is for you to be fair. 

Paul writes, to make your gentleness known to everyone. There's an appeal to fairness right there! Have no favorites! Let everyone see you being gentle, all the time! And a gentle person is not a partisan person. A gentle person does not insult (true - - - there are a lot of people that speak softly and smile a lot. But their voice hides an arrogance and guile that slowly rushes others; and their smile grows wider, the larger their knife). 

Be gentle. To everybody. 

That's how to make the world a more fair place. 

Fairness III

Therefore you shall draw water with rejoicing . . . 

 - From Isaiah 12

Our perspective is so limited. The difference between the perspective of an eighteen-month old baby, and an octogenarian, is nothing compared that of an eternal being to one of us. We are not eternal yet. When we are relaxing on the deck of Cafe Omega, with a view of eternal waters, we will reflect at how ignorant we were, during our finite years. "What was I thinking?"

Our behavior belies people that really do not believe they are destined for immortality. We act like we have to cram in everything into these seventy years! Time is of the essence! We have our bucket lists that have to be checked off!

I don't have a bucket list. Those things can all be done in eternity. I only have now, and what's presently before me. 

We're all headed to the grave. All of us. That's fair. None of us gets it easy. Yes, life may be more comfortable for some of us. But some of will die like all the rest. 

With the knowledge that everything is fair in eternity, I can jettison all of my anger about injustice, and who deserves this and that. I can focus on excellence in the moment. 

Yes - life requires planning. To say I live in the moment doesn't mean I don't have a long-term purpose. But I strive to align my purpose with what really counts eternally. I can make life fair for those around me, insofar as it is within my power to do so. To help even the playing field for others, I am going to probably need money. 

And I have learned that people with money are taken more seriously than people without. This is the chief reason I want money. I can do more good with it. Wealth is wasted on people with bucket lists. 

And so therefore we can focus on . . . will I even have water, today? What a doable goal. What a valiant aspiration: Water for me, and water for others. And if Flint, Michigan needs clear water, what can I do, today? They need water, today. They need it now. And so that should be my focus. Anger about politicians has its place. But that alone doesn't quench thirsts. 

In eternity, when you live forever anyway . . . water will be the delightful enhancement to our experience. And the water itself will be Life. 

What a splendid image of where we should direct our focus, today. A glass of water to those that need it. That's all. And that's everything. And that's fair. 

Let's go. 

Fairness II

 . . . but God will bring them back to you . . . 

 - From Baruch 5

The world is not fair. We are all convinced of that, at least from the purview of our own narrow, self-interested world-view. Someone else got what I wanted. I worked harder for it. But I didn't get it. It's not fair. 

In a perfectly fair world, the woman that I am most attracted to, would be equally attracted to me. 

Isn't romance and love . . . really . . . at the root of our violence and wars? (It's not religion . . . I contend that romantic love has started more wars than religion). And if that is the case, isn't it in humanity's interests, for all people to find a love for life, and to find that love early, and to guarantee that no person in love ever experiences frustration from its lack of reciprocity?

See what a big problem we have here?

We proclaim our understanding of what's wrong with society. We know that we must ensure fairness for all people. But when we take it to its logical conclusion, it gives us all kinds of problems.

In my own experience, those times when I have been treated unfairly resulted in enhanced virtues within my heart. An unfair world makes us less envious, less selfish, less bitter . . . if we respond correctly.

I know a young person that had always been told she had a beautiful singing voice and should go into music in college. But it took her three years to finally get accepted into a good program. She was three years older than her peers. But the faculty and staff, and other students, fell in love with this person that did not take her position for granted. She had learned a very hard work ethic, and valued her professional calling that much more highly.

Perhaps we should just live for the moment, and find someone nearby, who is not feeling very fairly-treated today, and make their load lighter. Perhaps we should support young artists and teachers that are talented and devoted enough, but have been on the wrong end of hiring decisions. There's a lot we can do to make the world a more fair place, but it requires that we actually . . . do . . . something.

But in the end . . . when God promises to bring "them all back to us," it reminds us that He remembers, and He knows. When all is made right some day, you will appreciate it all the more.

Fairness

Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low . . . 

 - From Luke 3

The first thing we all want, for our society, is for a society that cares. We want a caring culture, a caring government, a caring community, a caring neighborhood. Caring comes first, and caring is godly love that is totally selfless and that looks out for others. It is a rarity in any human structure - and yet it is highly prized as something to be desired. 

The next element in our ideal culture is that it must be fair. We want a level playing field. But some go beyond that . . . they want level outcomes as well. To them, evidence that society is fair, is found when the results of all of our efforts are equivalent. 

But nature itself isn't fair. Even if we could eliminate all murder and death by accident, still our lifespans would be different. Some would not make it to twenty. But others would last beyond a century. But even if we all lived to our seventieth birthday, and then expired on the next day . . . our experiences would be different, naturally. We would each have different experiences with illness. 

We do not all get to marry a person that melts our heart while providing for our every needs. Our spouses do not all make us very happy and never consider divorce. 

It's not fair, not matter what we do. We cannot make it fair. 

But would we even want to? Isn't that element of risk and of mystery part of what makes life so wonderful?

We can't make it right. But God can. And God does. 

A redeemer of humanity was promised. But . . . a redeemer of, what? 

Christ redeems us from death . . . and death is our penalty for sin. Sin is our willful, selfish behaviors that do not build up others. We all die. In that, we are all equal, and the method is equitable. In eternity, whether or not we lived five years, or fifty, will not matter much. 

The Promises about Christ are replete with descriptions of valleys being filled, and of mountains being brought low. Everything gets leveled out. And so . . . in eternity we find ourselves in some setting, with everybody else - - - or at least all of those we would like to be together with. We're enjoying each other for as long as we want. As deathless beings, we will not crave the stupid, obsessive indulgences that drive our decisions in this life. 

It will all look silly. 

Fairness is something that we all want. But when we force our sense of fairness onto others; whose values may be different, well . . . that's not fair.

All you can do is treat everybody with whom you come into contact, as fairly as you possibly can. And leave the rest up to God. Because he's going to make it right.

Caring X

I thank my God every time I remember you . . . 

 - From Philippians 1

The Apostle Paul was probably the most tireless worker of his era. He gave up a comfortable calling as a Pharisee, to live as a wanderer and frequent prison inmate. He became a man on the run, keeping one step ahead of the authorities so that he could present the Gospel in the seat of the Empire. 

He served others.He laid his life down for others - for people he knew and people he didn't know. 

He was not a political animal. His methods were the opposite of what it takes to gain political power. His answer to feeding the hungry was to preach the Gospel of Eternal Life to them. And he could feed them if he wanted to. He clothed, healed, housed, and educated a needy generation with the Love of God. 

And yet . . . in the end, he overflowed with appreciation for them. It was as if, by serving them, he was being served by them. (The meaning of Christmas?)

Paul was the exemplary of the virtue of "caring." He really cared . . . because he was more than sacrificial; way beyond expecting anything in return. He really, truly, loved those he served.

And this is what "caring" is all about.

Research has shown that, in our modern times, both people on the Right and the Left, politically, are motivated by the virtue of "caring" when they make their voting decisions. We all sincerely want to help others. We just have different methods. Some show their care by electing people to government that will take care of the poor for them. Others show their care by volunteering and anonymously doing good works of service, directly, to the needy. 

But they all care. We all care. 

And we are wrong, even wicked, when we draw comparisons here and try to paint others as wrong, or evil, because they do not show their care as we would like them to. It's just plain wrong. 

But even though we all care, it turns out that "caring" is not what we thought it was. It's more than a platitude, or a tenet in our belief system.

In looking back at this ten-blog series on "Caring," it is clear that caring is work, sacrificial, selfless, and is beyond the reach of most people. Our goal should be to grow as people that care. Our goal should not be to just say we care and leave it at that. 

And our goal absolutely should not be to criticize others, because they may not appear to care as much as we do. 

There's more to it, than our eyes can see . . . and the truly caring do so in secrecy and anonymity.

The good news is that we are a species of people that care. 

The bad news is that we have divided ourselves over meaningless differences in what that means. 

So let's take this one off the table, of issues that divide us. 

Go help somebody. 

Next: Fairness

Caring IX

. . . that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us.

 - From Luke 1

Caring involves a healthy portion of providing protection. 

Caring is hard work! Caring requires us to be alert to the dangers around those that are in our charge. If we have been caring for someone else; a person that has needs that only we can fulfill, then it's possible we have built up some resentment against this person. Can't I have my own life?

We may hear middle-aged people complaining about having to care for their aging parents. But don't they want to be cared-for, too, when they are old? At all steps of life, we always need perspective that we desperately lack!

Caring takes sacrifice! You must trust that there is an eternal place of rest! You must have the balanced view of this present life: It is transitory. It will end, sooner rather than later.

So take care of people!!

The shepherd does not rest well.  If he rests at all, it is because he has worked hard to build effective barriers against predators. So it is with us. The ministry of "care" is very demanding, and very rewarding. But it isn't easy.

How are the people around you? Are they affirmed? Do they feel safe? Do they feel they matter?

We only have these mass political movements of angry people, because too many people in the lives of too many people, didn't listen, and didn't care.

Your political passions may play out right there in your own daily life, among your family, friends, and co-workers. And your neighbors. It's right there in front of you. It has no bumper stickers and no editorials. Tax dollars will not help those people. Someone else is not going to step in and fix things.

It's you.

Be so busy helping people you actually know, that you know longer get so worked up over today's headlines. Your close, and current problems, are the only real ones. 

Care.