“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

Matthew 7:12

Dear God, this is one of those verses that we see all day of the time, but it is hard to know the depths of what it really means or asks us to do.

I think that one misconception stems from the word “do.” “Do to others…” can be misinterpreted as acting upon someone else. But it can also be receiving from others as well. Sometimes someone else needs me to get over my pride and receive help when I am in a tough situation. They watch me struggle, try to help, and then I reject it. It would frustrate me greatly if I were in their place, trying to help in the midst of a storm and not being allowed. But there I go with my pride, rejecting help.

One of the interesting things about fundraising for a nonprofit is the idea that my livelihood and the livelihoods of my coworkers and the healthcare of our patients relies on me being willing to ask for and receive help from others. When I was younger, I had missionary friends who raised support. I used to be (and still am) a donor to them. But I swore I’d never do that myself. Well, look at me now.

Father, help me to be willing to accept the help that you send to me. If I’m praying for your solution to something, help me to embrace it when it arrives. Help me to do to that person who is trying to help me what I would want them to do to me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen