PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

January 28, 2024

FOUR-WAY TEST (Part IV)

Will it build good will and better friendships?

A song that I have like ever since I was a child is “Brighten the Corner Where You are.”  It was written by Ina D. Ogdon and Charles Gabriel in 1912 and is based on Matthew 5:14-16 where Jesus says that His followers are to be the light of the world.  Verse two of the song says, “Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear, let not narrow self you way debar; through into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer, brighten the corner where you are.”

One of the consequences of adhering to the third question of the Rotary Four-Way Test is that you very likely will brighten the corner where you are.  Rather than sowing seeds of dissension and discord, the question works to build goodwill and better friendships.  Rather than tearing people apart, the third question brings people together.

The scriptures have a great deal to say about the importance of building goodwill and better friendships.  The Book of Proverbs gives the following advice, especially as it relates to the tongue.  “Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin (Proverbs 13:3).”  “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. … The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. … The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright (Proverbs 15:1, 4, 7).”

Paul says in his letter to the Ephesians, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. … Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ (Ephesians 4:29, 31-32).”  In his letter to the Philippians Paul says that all the things we think, say, and do should focus on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

Since its founding in 1905, one of the ways that Rotary has worked to build goodwill and better friendships is over a common meal.  The Rotary club of which I am apart meets every Monday at noon for lunch, fellowship, a program, and sharing of ideas.  I have always found it interesting how much of Jesus’ ministry took place within the context of a common meal.  You can find examples anywhere from the feeding of the 5,000 to the last supper with Jesus’ disciples in Jerusalem.  Jesus was criticized by religious elite of His day for eating with tax collectors and sinners.  One of the descriptions of heaven is a great banquet.  An excellent way to build goodwill and better friendship is over a common meal.

Every day we have the opportunities to either build goodwill and better friendships or create distrust and discord with all the things we think, say, and do.  We can either brighten the corner where we are or we can bring dark cloud over our surroundings.  We may not be able to dictate our circumstances, however, we can determine our response to them.

(Comments may be sent to davidh15503@embarqmail.com.)