Most people are neighbourly, but a few are just selfish

Monday morning, while running on the Greenway, a flash of red in the middle of Mission Creek caught my eye. A closer look revealed what was going on. Members of the Kelowna Fire Department, in red jumpsuits, were engaged in rapid water rescue training.

Firefighters actually entered the rushing creek, simulating an emergency situation to allow others to practice rescuing them.

On my way to the Greenway that morning, I drove past one of the sites where people were still packing sandbags. I assume it was the emergency workers from out of town sent here to help us, but it might have been you putting in a few more hours of hard labour to help your neighbors.

Driving home from my run, I was passed first by an ambulance and then a police car screaming up Highway 97 with lights and siren activated. Someone else needed help.

Later Monday evening, I stood at the lookout on Knox Mountain viewing our lake and city.

I couldn’t help but notice that at that moment, not one power boat was within site.

Hundreds of boaters who’d love to be out on the lake chose instead to respect the needs of their neighbours.

Reflecting on the experiences of just that one day filled me with a sense of deep appreciation. We are so blessed. Each of the scenarios described above included hardship for someone, but no one was left to face their hardship alone.

Real life includes challenges and trouble, but when there’s a sense of community, where neighbours help neighbours and professionals dedicate their lives to come alongside, the trouble becomes bearable.

St. Paul described it this way, “Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens and so complete Christ’s law (Galatians 6:2 The Message).”

When community works well, it is a beautiful thing.

There is, however, another side that threatens all the good just described. In the same span of time the above observations were made, several other incidents occurred.

I drove behind a car whose driver thoughtlessly flicked a lit cigarette out the window right beside the grassy slopes of Dilworth Drive. I ran on the Greenway and noticed more piles of dog poop on the trail than I can ever remember seeing.

Then, while driving home, I watched as one driver blared the horn for an extended period because the person beside was committing the unpardonable sin of wanting to merge into their lane.

While each of these incidents alone is minute and minor, when combined they reveal a dangerous attitude.

A sense of entitlement always threatens a sense of community.

Again it was St. Paul who penned the antidote. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,” he wrote. “Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.”

The contrast is stark. On one side is an incredible community where neighbour helps neighbour and where some even risk their lives to help those in crisis.

On the other side, a sense of entitlement prevails where the only word that matters is “me.”

It’s a battle that’s been raging since the beginning of time.

Thankfully in this valley, the good side is winning.

Tim Schroeder is a pastor at Trinity Baptist Church.