Spotlight 14/2020: Doing something good for ourselves and others
Doing something good for yourself and giving your neighbour without expecting anything … This is what District Apostle Tshitshi Tshisekedi (Democratic Republic Congo South-East) reflects on in his article on our annual motto.
In his New Year’s message, the Chief Apostle emphasised that the love of Christ makes us free to do good things without expecting anything in return. Today people are usually caught up in all-too-human values and principles, such as: unless there is nothing in it for me, I will not become get involved; I act solely to protect my own personal interests, and so on.
Liberty in Christ could therefore sound like this:
the commitment to want to do oneself something good. How can we learn to be good to ourselves and not only to our neighbour? We are not talking about a fulfilled life here or prosperity and the best of health. Rather, we are talking about the good that we can do for our soul, the good things we can do for our own life of faith.
- When this is possible again, we will go back to church. Attending divine services in the house of our God is a really good thing that we can do for ourselves (Psalm 84: 10).
- Praying at home and with our families is something good we can do for ourselves (Matthew 21: 22).
- Acknowledging one’s faults and being ready to repent is exceptionally good (Ezra 9: 6).
- Making the return of the Lord the focus of our spiritual life is the best thing we can do for ourselves (James 5: 7–8).
- Obedience of faith with a little less hesitation and murmuring is something else that is good (1 Samuel 15: 23).
- Recognising the gifts and benefits that follow upon our willing offerings and sacrifices are a real joy for those who offer (1 Chronicles 29: 9).
The list does not have to end there. These are just a examples to illustrate what we can do for ourselves. Everyone is free to add to his or her own list.
Have the courage to stand up and go to your neighbour to do something good for him without expecting anything in return. The principle is simple: ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you’ (Luke 6: 31).
Together with our neighbour we freely commit ourselves to do good for the Church. This is another guiding principle: let us build it up and not tear it down. Let us be prepared to work along and contribute to the building of this edifice (2 Chronicles 14: 6).
Photo: ENA RD Congo
