Let's Be the Church!

The world sure can feel selfish sometimes. I remember, just before the pandemic craziness hit, my good buddy, Rufus, got the latest edition of the "ForkNite" game.  It's the one where all the players are utensils on this big picnic blanket and everyone is trying to be the first to eat the apple pie.... It's AWESOME!!!  Anyway, Rufus invited me over to play, but when I got there, he would only let me watch him play.  It's almost like he thought that any time I spent playing his game would somehow keep him from playing later. He totally forgot the 'Golden Rule' - let your friends play with your stuff  (I'm sure it's in the Bible somewhere.)  Anyway, like a lot of people out there Rufus thought, “if I give to you, there will be less for me.” He completely forgot that when we only focus on ourselves, we miss out on incredible opportunities to help others!

That’s exactly why I am a huge fan of paying it forward. That means doing something for or sharing something with (I'm looking at you, Rufus) others without expecting anything from them.  You see, the more we lift each other up and support each other the better we will all be! And you want to know the best part?  By paying it forward and helping others, you end up helping yourself!

The cool part is that by paying it forward, you can make a big difference in this world. Not only will you make someone else feel totally awesome, but you could set off a chain reaction, you know, like those cool videos where someone starts off by tipping over a domino, which then flips a switch, which then starts a fan, which then... well, you get the picture.  And they usually end with bread being toasted or something ever cooler. Now, if you pay it forward to three people, then they pay it forward to three others, before you know it, the entire planet could be transformed!

But what is the concept of paying it forward all about? What does it mean to pay something forward? The idea behind it is that whenever someone does something nice for you, in turn, you do something nice for someone else. You can also be the one who starts paying it forward, the one who sets it all in motion. The thrill of paying it forward is that you do something really good for someone who did not expect it. And it doesn’t even have to be someone you know!

So, how can we pay it forward?

Look out for opportunities. 
Life will provide you with numerous opportunities to pay it forward. You only have to be attentive.

Be willing to help strangers. There may not always be an opportunity to do a good deed for your family or friends, but you can always help those who are in need, even if they are complete strangers.

Give freely without expecting anything in return. Many people will ask you how they can reimburse you for your kindness. Tell them that you don’t expect anything in return, but that you would greatly appreciate it if they could pay the good deed forward.

Even small acts count. Affecting change doesn’t take much. You don’t have to be rich, powerful or influential. All that matters is that you are willing.

What a great way to ‘Be the Church!’ I’m excited to hear from you about your creative ideas to pay it forward. Let me know in the comments below! Oh and remember, don't be a Rufus!

Your Pal,
Scooter

“Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.” Psalm 31:21