The Standard July 25, 2026
Not everything gets better with age. Modern societies don’t always improve upon mistakes of the past. Some old-fashioned ideals and sayings should not be replaced.
How many times as a child did you hear a parent or another adult tell you to look for the good in everyone? How often were you encouraged to give others the benefit of the doubt or told that many people were fighting a battle you knew nothing about?
Do you remember when you were young having a classmate ask incredulously about a fellow classmate, “you don’t like her, do you?” This question was not regarding a romantic crush. Most of us grew out of asking such questions. We can enjoy a variety of people, and they don’t have to be our best friends. Surely, we can find aspects to like about most of those we meet. It is safe to say that each of us should like way more people than we dislike.
Perhaps it is partly due to our 24/7 news cycle and ubiquitous social media that rumors spread quickly and secrets are openly revealed. It used to be that we were not expecting to know all kinds of personal details about our neighbors. Many things were kept private. We largely did not know what went on behind closed doors. Perhaps it was easier to get along with others when we knew, at most, the basics about their political or ideological thinking.
The tendency today seems to be to keep one’s circle of friends small and to expect conformity of opinions within that circle. What a shame! If we only spend time with those who think the way we think our lives will be limited.
In the past few years, we have seen the deaths of several public figures met with opponents openly cheering. These were not criminals or all-around disgusting people who lost their lives. Sadly, it appears to be more and more difficult for some of us to see the worth of individuals who do not share our perspectives. God’s call is for us to understand the value and dignity of each person and to think of them before we think of ourselves, no matter what their views.
“Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:1-4
If we look for the worst in others, we will find it. If we choose to be negative and insular, we will be the opposite of salt and light in our world. Instead, we should interact with and enjoy a wide variety of friends and not be embarrassed about it. Hopefully they won’t focus on our flaws the way we won’t hone in on theirs.
“Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it.” Proverbs 11:27
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