Things that Matter

In the 1870s, New York City had one of the most closely contested mayor’s races in its history. Mayor John “Boss” Tweed was running for reelection, and it was widely known that his entire administration was corrupt. Many in the city who were fed up with his kind of politics came together in an attempt to take on “Boss Tweed.”

At first, things seemed to be looking up. But as the campaign drug on, the opposition began to feel the pressures of machine politics. Many of these good people began to give up and drop out. When the election was held and the results counted, they discovered that Boss Tweed had been reelected. The next day the New York Times ran an editorial and analyzed what had happened. It said: 

“The good people quit being good before the bad people quit being bad.”

Martin Luther King, Jr, said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

Sometimes we just get worn out. We feel as though our small actions don’t make a difference. We get tired and give up. In a world with so much darkness – so much brokenness and sin, the need can feel overwhelming. But the truth is that even small actions count. Even small acts of love, kindness, and generosity add up and make a huge difference – especially when we work together.

As I look at what churches are doing in our country and around the world I see impoverished communities being given a hand up. I see clean water systems being installed, medical clinics being built, and doctors being trained. I see suburban churches building relationships with inner city churches, and high-risk children receiving tutoring. I see the gospel being proclaimed and people’s lives being transformed.

My prayer is that you and I would be the kind of people who are not silent – either with our words or our actions – about the things that matter. The Apostle Paul reminds us, “Those who labor in the Lord do not labor in vain!”

Let us pray: Loving God, meet us in our small everyday acts of kindness and generosity. Bless and multiply our actions, and encourage us with glimpses of your light overcoming the darkness. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.