Doing Revisited 1

In Under Construction we have been wrestling with the idea that compassion and good works is like walking on a narrow path on a ridge. For sometime I have been struggling with how to articulate an idea that I believe has some value. This unarticulated idea usually comes up in my mind during conversations about doing (or not doing) good works, particularly intentional good works. I will see if I can put some words to it here. It will probably take several posts.

At times in my life, there seemed to be a sort of fear of doing good works without some special circumstances being in place. Those circumstances could be a sense of a “calling” from God or having the “right” attitude or motive. Until those circumstances are in place, there is a reluctance to do the good works, least they be for naught spiritually. It is a sort of "I am not moving without you God" attitude. My energies instead were focused on doing other “spiritual” things, usually some form of praying, talking, or reading.

If you have been following my ridge path metaphor, what I described above would be the cliff on the right side of the ridge. It seems to be a sort of self-righteous inaction. Here is my logic: I know that good works should be done with the right attitude and motive – I know that my attitude or motive is not where it should be – therefore, the right thing to do would be not to do the good works – this way I avoid the mistake of the Pharisees (the cliff on the left side of the ridge).

Do you see this motive that I tired to describe at work in yourself or others?