Do your best and leave the rest to God
By Medicine Hat News on December 22, 2018.
Two thousand years ago the world was not a lot different. Empires fought wars with spears and swords, not armoured tanks and laser guided bombs. Rich folks measured their wealth by how many slaves they owned, not by their yachts and private jets. But a lot of things are still the same. Two thousand years ago and still today poor people are going hungry and when night falls they are apt to be found bedding down under a bridge or in a stable. That’s where we first meet Jesus, born in a barn. By the standards of this world, power is measured by military or economic might. But Jesus came to share another kind of truth. The core of his teaching was the Golden Rule, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Jesus’ most critical advice to those willing to learn from him was how important it is that we learn to pray. Pray for your family and loved ones. Pray for neighbours and strangers. Pray for your enemies and for their well-being. Let the focus of your spiritual life be the well-being of others. It is not easy to grasp what Jesus’ teaching was getting at. And it is easy to talk ourselves out of it. We want to focus on ourselves: Our likes and dislikes and the things we feel entitled to. And Jesus keeps on pushing us to focus on others. It is like he is saying that when we create a world that is safe for strangers and even enemies, we are creating a world that is safe for our loved ones and the people who are closest to our hearts. We need to help others to face their demons. That is usually how we find the way to face our own demons. We need to help others find their better angels. That is usually the way we become our better selves as well. I am not sure which of the sayings of Jesus is the one that tops our quest for spiritual wisdom. I suspect it is probably this: Do the best you can and leave the rest to God. This is the one that reminds us we aren’t alone in this. Alongside us is a God who knows us better than we know ourselves. May you and all your loved ones have a blessed and Merry Christmas. Rev. Jim Hillson is Minister Emeritus at Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church in Medicine Hat. 10-9
