Listen to this message on your audio player.“The Golden Rule Outlook”
Ed Haugh, our local township police chief shares the following message on the East Donegal Township website: “The Susquehanna Regional Police have reported that there has been an increase in acts of vandalism occurring in Township parks. Most of these acts are criminal mischief in nature, such as upsetting picnic tables, overturning trash receptacles and scattering rubbish, and writing or drawing on picnic tables and park equipment. It is disappointing that some individuals do not respect our community property and resort to petty acts of vandalism that tarnish the image of our parks. These acts, performed by a few individuals, hinder the enjoyment of the parks by the vast majority of park users that are respectful and careful about keeping the parks in the best condition possible.”
For many years Brooksyne and I have walked along Carmany Road near our home, which provides a pleasant country walk with very little traffic. In the last several months though we noticed trash littering the road and attributed it to evidence of the breakdown in respect for property, in addition to new housing developments recently built nearby. There are beer cans, juice cartons and fast food wraps, along with other debris tossed out of car windows. We’ve lived in our present location over nine years and have often commented how much we appreciate the clean roadways as we walk in our neighborhood.
The other day Brooksyne had a conversation with Allan, a neighboring farmer, and shared her troubling observation about the recent change with increasing litter. He provided an explanation that is instructive and a reminder of how we can make a difference. We had seen from signs last year on Carmany Road that the large farm was for sale. Allan explained that the farmer had retired and moved elsewhere, but each day while he lived there, he walked along the road and picked up trash, thus keeping the area clean day by day.
In fact Allan had asked the farmer, “What are we going to do when you move away? Who’s going to keep the road clean?” Now we are seeing the evidence of his absence. Brooksyne sort of took the cleanness for granted not realizing there was effort being extended to make it happen.
The daily text is often referred to as The Golden Rule, but due to Biblical illiteracy many do not know what we mean when we speak of this Golden Rule; “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” We live in a very fallen world where fewer and fewer practice the Golden Rule. We, as followers of Christ, light up the world when we individually and corporately practice a Golden Rule outlook.
Consideration toward others is the practice of the golden rule in the small details of life; beginning in the home and extending outward. What if the billions of personal interactions that take place all over the globe today were truly characterized by this outlook? Well that would certainly bring about world peace but in reality that just isn’t going to happen until the return of the Prince of Peace.
But by God’s transforming grace we can do something in our little corner of the world. Today in our speech and actions let us keep this Golden Rule outlook foremost in our hearts; “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, You have placed Your children in a world where people push and shove to be first. Because of their self-importance they may stop at nothing until they get what they want in life, no matter who gets hurt. But You’ve called us to view life from a perspective that considers others as important or even more important than ourselves. We need humble hearts that put You first, others second and ourselves last in everything we do. In our humanity this is impossible, but as we are being transformed into the likeness of Your Son, Jesus, we become more like Him. Our love and consideration for others grow and we apply the golden rule to our lives when we do to others as we would have them do to us. May this relationship rule guide us as we make decisions that affect others and ourselves. Help us to have the mind of Christ in all that we do. Amen.“Make Me A Servant” Video Maranatha Singers
“We Lift Our Hands” Video Oslo Gospel Choir
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