Saturday, August 8, 2015

Doing What Is Right


“Forgetting religion for a moment, as that is a personal matter,” Sir Nicholas Winton said, “there is one thing that can unite everybody. That is fundamental ethics. If people just focused on living a life with kindness, love, goodness decency, honor and truthfulness. We would be much better off.”

 
After the World War II, Nicholas Winton's rescue efforts of 669 Czech children remained virtually unknown. It was not until 1988, when his wife Grete found a scrapbook from 1939 with all the children's photos and a complete list of names of those rescued by the man who became known as “Britain's Schindler”  Sir Nicholas Winton. Although, at the time he was not a Knight but just Nicky, a single 29 year old stock broker planning a weekend skiing trip when his life took a turn as he agreed to help his friend with a project of organizing foster families in London. When asked about his remarkable act he said he didn’t think it was remarkable; it was just the right thing to do.

When we are faced with situations in our life, most of us probably don’t pause to think about our choices in terms of right or wrong but instead about what we want to do. Doing what’s right will most likely involve a sacrifice of our personal preference. In fact, I would say most of our choices really are about doing right or doing more right. Was it wrong for Nicholas to go skiing that weekend? - No. Was it more right to help the children instead? – Yes.  Was it his preference to go skiing that weekend? – probably.  Sir Nicholas even chose to get fired instead of returning to work when summoned by his boss stating nothing at work could be more important than what he was doing.
The Bible is full of stories where a person has to choose between a personal preferance or doing what God has asked. Most of the time we do not know why we are the one called by God but He sees the big picture and has made His choice - His choice is us.  This calling can be made in the smallest ways, like a friend inviting us to come help. Even the smallest decision of yes or no can have an impact like Nicky’s choice that weekend.

The children saved in Czechoslovakia became known as Nicky’s Family. Sir Nicholas Winton, was Knighted at the age of 100 died at the age of 106. His “family” is now around 7,000 descendants.
“For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” Genesis 18:19 (NIV)
**Lord, bring this story to mind when I am faced with a choice to do right or do more right.  I want to be used by you and be obedient to your calling.  Help me every day to live a life releasing my personal preferences to help others. Forgive for those times that I did not chose goodness, kindness, love, honor or truth. As your descendant, I want to be a good representative of your family. **
Click the link to see the documentary trailer for “Nicky's Family”. You can also see the whole movie on Netflix. 





 


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