You Are Where You Live

I know you’ve seen it, and like me you’ve probably even experienced it. It seems that throughout life as our environment changes so we adjust to or take on the attributes of our surroundings. For example, where we live, (neighborhood, city, state) we tend to act, walk and talk as those around us do. A lot of times we work very hard at this, simply because we want to “fit in” and establish good neighbor or good working relationships with those already established in the environment. After 35 years, if I were to return to my hometown in Upstate New York, my speech just wouldn’t fit anymore and I would probably have a hard time with some of the dialogue there. Think about it. If you hang with drinkers you’ll drink. Hang with drug users and you’ll do drugs. Hang with the hood gang and you’ll bang yourself into more trouble than you want. Hang with God’s people and you’ll live a godly life. Environment does dictate living conditions.
A fifth grade Christian school teacher asked her students to look at TV commercials to see if they could use them in some way to communicate ideals of God to life. Here are some of the results. GOD IS LIKE: Bayer Aspirin; He works miracles. …like a Ford; He’s got a better idea. …like Coke; He’s the real thing. …like Hallmark Cards; He cared enough to send His very best. …like Tide; He gets the stains out that others leave behind. …like General Electric; He brings good things to life. …like Sears; He has everything. …like Alka-Seltzer; Try Him, you’ll like Him. …like Scotch Tape; You can’t see Him, but you know He’s there. …like Delta; He’s ready when you are. …like Allstate; You’re in good hands with Him. …VO-5 Hair Spray; He holds through all kinds of weather. …like Dial Soap; Aren’t you glad you have Him? Don’t you wish everybody did? …like The U.S. Postal Service; Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination. Environment dictates thought.
[Proverbs 12] I really like the book of Proverbs. I like it because I can relate to a lot of it. The book is a no-nonsense, easy to understand statements that apply to the ethics of life with a clear approach to God’s will for man to live a righteous life. As I read I’m told that “this is this” and “that is that”. There’s no compromising of how we’re to live in God’s creation. If we hang with evil people, we’ll become evil. A man is probably not a killer before he goes to war, but he will become one in his current environment. I say these things to you because those around you, whom you pass by every day, but you never smile at or greet with a “hello” or even nod your head at acknowledging they even exist, just because they’re not a part of your life, may in fact be looking for someone just like you to help pull them out of the hopelessness of their life. Instantly you think money. Look at history and you’ll see that money doesn’t solve a thing. Love and compassion is what changes life for the better. When a person has hope, they find a reason to be the person God wants them to be. Jesus said we would always have the poor with us, but the story of the rich man and Lazarus teaches us not to ignore them. Should we consider only the beggar? Do not look at the physical needs of people alone. It is their spirit that has been deceived and misled. Feed and clothe, but remember to visit also. Teach them the love of God, for the power of the gospel can save and change even the vilest of lives. Don’t look down at anyone, unless you’re reaching out to lift them up.