Exceptions Not the Rule

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 NRSV

Have you ever wondered what motivates people to do good things? Why does someone give their seat to an elderly person on a crowded bus or train? Why does someone give back the incorrect change in the grocery line?  Why would someone purposely allow another person to go ahead of them in a long line? Why do some people work tirelessly with the poor?

People practice acts of kindness everyday. But, I wonder if the actions I just described are exceptions not the rule. I witness acts of aggression and omission on a daily basis. Truthfully, I am not always as kind as I need to be. I sometimes struggle with how I can respond to a certain situation. There have been times when I knew God was prompting me to respond in a way that would honor him but disobediently did what I thought was right in my own eyes.

Maybe it's time we all take some time to seriously consider how close to Christ we really are and discover together how much work we still have to do. The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. The initiation into the Lenten season is a stark reminder, "From ashes you have come and to ashes you will return." Lent can be a season of introspection. We can discover what motivates us to do good things. We are commanded to become more like Christ honoring all he has already accomplished and work toward the reconciliation of our world. Let's do some introspection together and help each other along the way.

All the believers were in one heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. Acts 4:32 NIV