Get facts to help positively
Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7).
In last Saturday’s column, we looked at the importance of asking. Praying is paramount for our spiritual life, but instead of waiting passively for miracles, we can, by asking questions and seeking answers, do our share to improve matters.
People want and seek many things. Many seek material things: money, clothes, property and convenience, either to enjoy or to show off. Some go for emotional experiences: visiting famous or rare places; taking in through the senses beautiful and pleasant stimuli in art and nature; and having fun with people they like. Others seek bodily pleasures like eating, drinking, drugging, exercising, swimming, tanning, and having sex. Social motives, like acceptance, praise, honour, and fame, come into play in all endeavours. Even when people go out of their way to help others, their egos feel good about it.
I doubt if Jesus had egopleasing things in mind when he said, “Seek, and you will find.” Neither did he mean: if you look for trouble, you will get it.
What did Jesus seek? “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). He said that shortly after he gave sight to a blind beggar, and insight to a rich businessman. Their socioeconomic status had nothing to do with their new-found joy. They met Jesus, and received a wonderful gift from him — that was the source of their jubilance. And that was what Jesus sought.
We must follow Jesus’ example and seek opportunities to make a positive difference. When we harm ourselves or others, we seek the wrong stuff and in the wrong direction. But when we seek to make things better for all, we are working with Jesus in the right direction.
A word of caution: if we try to do good in the wrong way, we may make things worse, not better. In a radio story of decades ago, one irritating character, a real busybody, always tried to do good by interfering in others’ business. This person usually ended up stepping on toes, and getting scolded for her efforts. From her viewpoint, she only tried to help others.
We can’t make things better by being stupid. Therefore, if you have time, it is good policy to ask questions before you act. Discuss the problem with those involved, listen to their needs and wants, and get their opinion about available solutions. Jesus did not have to do that, because he had all the facts. But we don’t have all the facts, so we must first get ourselves informed.