Misguided Effort? Final Thoughts

Exceptional acts of love and mercy are hard, but better than our ordinary acts. I have reluctantly stopped waiting for it to rain down, though. It apparently does not come from the outside, but the inside. We have been invited by Jesus to follow him in the way of exceptional love and mercy and he has set the spirit deep within us to help us. In faith, we have to assume Jesus thought we could do it, that progress was possible. I don’t think he wanted us to set up camp on the good side of the human good-evil continuum. He would be happy we made it that far, but I picture him saying: “What are you doing? Why have you pitched a tent? We’re not there yet. I’m out a here. Who’s coming with me?”


It starts with getting out and trying to help. If you take the trial and error approach, expect lots of stumbling around. Trial and error is an inefficient way of learning, but it is a start. The journey starts when you just do it. Next, you need to pay attention when you are doing it. If you do, good chance some significant spiritual formation issues will smack you right in the face. For me, it often is with seemingly little things and my attitudes, such as the taxi fare series.

Practice with feedback is much more efficient way to learn and change than trial and error. That is where mentors should come in. I know they are in short supply, but first you have to determine to seek one out where you can find one. It does not have to be as dorky as asking someone to be your mentor. Just find someone that is doing good and hang with them. Watch them and learn what you can from them. Go deep when you can. Between self-reflection, modeling, and deep interaction, you will get your feedback. Then go back and do it again. It is an iterative process. Confront you attitudes, contemplate and get to that place that is deep beneath the attitude and just stay at that place for a while. Directly challenge the attitude if needed. Afraid you will get ripped off if you give physical help or cash to someone ostensibly in need? Face the fear and let yourself get ripped off. It is only when the fear is gone that you start being smart about what you do.

We are not so good at perceiving our own motives. It requires brave self-reflection, a sort of repentant reconsideration of our efforts. It is easier to see the motives of others. Makes me wonder if I wear my motives on my sleeves like others I see. Someone would have to engage with me on that one. Which brings up the whole community thing, find a few people that are brave enough to want to go on a similar journey with you. Then start having NCCZ’s.

Finally, drop the happy blessing part of serving.  Make your goal to actually help someone.  Most every night, there is someone that is suffering, in need of, and ready for help, that cannot make it without someone coming along side of them and helping.  Yes, it will be inconvenient.  The self will push back.