Friday, May 16, 2014

Shade Tree Wisdom 5/16/14

Shade tree wisdom 5/14/14
          Recently the President awarded the medal of honor to a soldier who had recued fellow soldiers while under heavy fire. The nation looked on and applauded. And we sort of take for granted a soldier will do this.
          We stop and applaud because in our day it is really unusual.
          Here is an article that  mentions many instances where people were taking pictures of an assault, but no one had the sense to use that same device to call the police.
          And just this morning I was reading a blog by a fellow pastor who was talking about running or walking, “I used to do this and enjoyed the camaraderie and fellowship of others. In running, one used to nod or wave or even call a cheery ‘hello’. It strikes me that just isn’t happening any more. What changed?”
          In a l968 study, sociologists John Darley and Bib Latane found that when a large number of people were present, the sense of responsibility was diffused  for any given individual. When alone, people were far more willing to help.
          Gadgets get in the way also. We are so busy with our facebooks and tablets that we are not even aware if face-to-face situations and the unspoken actions they may call for.
          Sherlock Holmes said to his Dr Watson,” you see, but you don’t observe.”
          Life is really more than spending our hours with gadgets. Let’s be aware of human being, people with feelings, cares, concerns, and needs, for whom we can truly be not only helpful, but “The light that shines in darkness”. So spend a moment with those in need and share the precious news that we have. The news is this, “Jesus Christ died for you”. When we do learn to ‘observe’ the world around us, we will be more eager to share this Gospel, won’t we?
God bless the sharing and the planting, The seed that “springs for and grows he knoweth not how.” And God bless the harvest.

GPD 5/16/14

No comments:

Post a Comment