19 Ways To A Better Life, And 1 But

Romans 12:9-16b

Twice this past week I've been involved in very close automobile accidents, both less than a quarter-mile from my home. The first happened as I was turning from the street leading out of my home. As usual I looked left, right, left again, right again, and left one more time before going into the intersection. As I entered the intersection a car came whizzing, seriously, whizzing around the corner and had to swerve to miss me. As it swerved it stopped in front of my car and the driver gave me a look as though it was my fault he had almost hit me.

The second time was as I traveled on a road connecting to the main road out of my subdivision. Admittedly I was going 30 mph in a 25 mph area as I approached a driveway leading out of a townhome complex. A car came out of the driveway without as much as a pause which caused me to swerve in order not to hit the car. This time it was me who slowed down to look at the driver of the other car, giving him the look conveying it was his fault I had to swerve.

In afterthought, both of those events, while they could have ended badly, really would have been accidents, nobody was really at "fault". I'm sure the driver making the turn and almost hitting me had no idea someone would be in the intersection when he turned, just as I'm sure the driver coming out of the driveway most likely didn't see me because of the car parked close to the driveway.

Soon after almost getting into the 2 accidents I prayed for God to help me release the anger I was feeling towards people who don't care about others and only care about themselves. God helped me to see that in at least one of those events I might have been the one who only cared about me, maybe even both times. After the prayer I realized that the safety of the other drivers were in as much risk as mine was. I thanked God for helping me realize this, and will make a conscience effort going forward not to apply blame in cases of accidents.

In today's passage Paul gives us a "to do" list on how to live our lives in order to bring about unity. It's a lengthy list, 20 items in all, that really try to breaks Jesus' basic commandment into sections - love God, love others, love yourself. I don't believe most people go out of their way to harm others, and for those who do there is always an underlying reason which is usually a lack of one or more of the 3 loves. If we try our best to follow the list given to us by Paul, we'll find that we'll come that much closer to living as Christ did; sharing God's all-encompassing acceptance and bringing others into that same love.

So, the next time someone does something nice for you try to do something nice for them, when something goes very wrong in your life be patient, share the joys and sorrows of those around you, and most of all love with everything you are. Especially love those who are the most difficult to love, even if that person is you.