What The World Needs

The New Year is officially in full swing now and as we look forward to the unknown we should consider what we can do to help the world be a better place.  If everyone took this consideration seriously and did whatever positive thing was in their personal power to do, I believe the changes would be monumental.

So the pressing question is – what does the world need?  A song from the mid-60’s with the title of What the World Needs Now is Love says this in the chorus:  “What the world needs now, Is love, sweet love, It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.  What the world needs now, Is love, sweet love, No, not just for some, but for everyone.”  Some people may think that is just too simplistic and even impossible, but I don’t believe that.  

If we sit back and observe what’s going on around us, it’s easy to determine that a lot of different things are needed to make our world better.  For example, too many people seem to lack patience, are boastful, arrogant, rude, greedy, uncaring – they live lives that are evil and perverted and go against so much of what God intended for us.  The world just seems to be upside down; and, many people are in denial about all that.  But I can’t help but think of the verse from Isaiah 5:20 (TLB): “They say that what is right is wrong and what is wrong is right; that black is white and white is black; bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.”  Sound familiar?   

But there is hope and we should never give up our hope on what love can accomplish.  1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (TLB) says this:  “Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.  All the special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end, but love goes on forever.” 

The foundation for all that is good and right is love.  If you have a heart and mind filled with love, it’s difficult to think and do things that aren’t loving and kind.  You’ll tend to treat others as they should be treated.  “The Golden Rule is the principle of treating others as one would want to be treated by them. It is sometimes called an ethics of reciprocity, meaning that you should reciprocate to others how you would like them to treat you.”  (Wikipedia)  Or, as Jesus states it in the Bible:  “‘Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.’”  (Luke 6:31 MSG)  Love is the only solution for all of that.

I believe that as Christians, we have a big responsibility when it comes to this idea of love.  “…be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ.” (Ephesians 4:32 TLB)  Those that are not Christian likely won’t be able to grasp this.  So it’s up to us to lead the way – be an example.  “Don’t just pretend that you love others: really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other.”  (Romans 12:9-10 TLB)

“For, dear brothers, you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other. For the whole Law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love others as you love yourself.’”  (Galatians 5:13-14 TLB)

Let’s all determine to make 2024 the year of love – real love – for God, for ourselves, for our family and friends, for everyone that we meet.  Then sit back and watch God change things in our world.

Written by Karran Martin – January 6, 2024