“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.” ~ George Washington Carver
We all know the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” To most of us, it seems quite logical. If we want love, kindness, mercy, and forgiveness in our lives, we have to be people who give love, kindness, mercy, and forgiveness to others. We cannot receive what we do not freely give. There are some who disagree with that and who fight the logic every step of the way. Generally, they do not get anywhere and are very frustrated individuals.
There are variations of the Golden Rule. One of them is “What goes around, comes around.” Ann Landers had a different telling of the rule when she wrote once, “Time heals all wounds and time wounds all heels.” The sentiments are the same as the Golden Rule in that they all infer the same thing, that we reap what we sow.
Carver expresses the same thought quite eloquently. Being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of others is a good recipe for life. For starters, it puts us in the proper frame of mind and helps as to live as stress free as possible. In addition, it lets others know that we really do care about them. When the tables get turned and we become in need, we shall receive what we have given to others in our lives.
I know some people could say that this is all pie-in-the-sky ideology. Yes, there are people who frustrate the living daylights out of us. Yes, there are people who anger us to no end. Yes, there are people who deserve their comeuppance. However, who are we to determine who those people are? Who has set us up as judge, jury, and executioner? When did God give us his retirement letter and commission us to take over for Him?
It is best to remember that we all have a role in this world. Our role is to embody the virtues of Jesus Christ to the best of our ability so that we can build up one another. Nothing would please God more than if we all looked after one another instead of looking down upon one another.
What goes around will come around. Classically, that has been called our particular judgment. Each of us will face the Lord and account for what we have done. Wouldn’t it be great to see God give us a thumbs up and to hear the Lord say, “Nice job!”
FAITH ACTION: Remember to live by the Golden Rule today and be kind to all you encounter.