Happy New Year's Eve, friends! As you're out celebrating and I'm at home in my pajamas, let's reflect together on these words. This quote is from one of my favorite movies, Pirates of the Caribbean. Gibbs says to Captain Jack, "Take what you can." Captain Jack replies, "Give nothing back."
That's our attitude in much of life, isn't it? Most of us are not pirates sailing the seven seas, but we are pirates right where we are. We ignore the plights of others, choosing instead to focus on our own wants and desires. For example, we buy new pairs of mittens for ourselves, despite the fact that the mittens we already have are just fine, and we conveniently don't see the homeless man on the side of the snowy street whose hands are frozen.
Now, I'm not trying to get into a debate about how to best help the homeless. What I am trying to point out is that we are a selfish people. We are no better than Gibbs and Captain Jack.
Here's what I propose: that we see ourselves in others and do for them what we would have them do for us. This will be different for each of us. Some of us have been blessed financially and can give to various organizations. Some of us have been blessed with talents that can be beneficial to others. Some of us have been blessed with time to use serving others. Whatever it may be, let's change the quote - give what you can, and take nothing back. After all, that's what Jesus did for us. It's what he calls us to do as his people. Let's do it!
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