Go Beyond

Criticism is a fact of life. Although not all criticism is bad, most people hate being criticized. People tend to value praise and kind words much more than criticism, even constructive criticism. While criticism is sometimes delivered in unpleasant packages, it may actually contain some positive and useful suggestions for learning, correction, or improvement. I recently read something that British philosopher John Stuart Mill said in 1859 about Christians. He observed that Christians seemed to have the ability to say wonderful things without actually believing them. According to Mill, Christians easily parroted the words of Christ — words like, blessed are the poor; it’s better to give than to receive; judge not, lest you be judged; love your neighbor as yourself. Mill concluded, “The sayings of Christ co-exist positively in their minds, producing hardly any effect beyond what is caused by mere listening to words so amiable and bland” (“On Liberty” essay). Ouch!

As I reflected on Mill’s stinging criticism, I remembered something that I had read in “Half the Sky.” Although authors Nicholas D. Kristoff and Sheryl WuDunn were not specifically addressing Christians, their words echoed Mill’s words. “As with sex trafficking in India today,” they wrote, “it was easy to cluck about the brutality of it all and then move on.” Whether Christian or not, it is indeed easier for people of every worldview to cluck about disturbing things in our world and then move on and never act to do something about those things. Over the years, I have observed that people from every walk of life are easily stirred but few are actually changed. People can be stirred to anger by the most egregious injustices — “and then move on.” It’s easy to be disturbed and horrified by accounts of injustice but it’s much harder to follow-through and to do something to make a difference.

If something truly disturbs and horrifies us, then how can we continue to live our lives with disregard for the welfare of those in danger? How is it possible to be so stirred and yet remain passive in our response to the reality of the horrors that define the daily existence of those suffering oppression? What does it matter if we are inspired by the beautiful words of Christ if we fail to make our lives available to Him? And, what would our lives look like if we truly believed His words? Indeed, what would our world look like?

Caring for children of women rescued from brothels.

We must understand that although we can’t do everything we can do something to help. In the words of Proverbs 31:8-9, “Open your mouth for the dumb, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.” As you consider the plight of those oppressed by the wicked and those who are hungry, homeless, and naked, remember the words of Isaiah 58:6-8 —  “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter — when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.”

We can’t do everything — but we can do something. Look for opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus this week. Take a risk and help someone in need. Don’t drive by, look the other way, turn up the volume, or convince yourself that someone else will take care of the need. Do what Jesus would do. Get involved. Love without condition. Give your coat. Walk the second mile. Make a difference. Never let it be said of us that we were stirred but not changed by the words and example of Jesus.