Advocate For The Common Good
The third reconciliation tool of PEACE PATH is to advocate for the common good of all or in other words to do service projects together. For Christians who believe the gospel of Jesus is to be proclaimed in both words and deeds, service to the common good is one of the main ways we preach that gospel in deeds. St. Francis, who was great at preaching the gospel in words also said, Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words. He was not saying that we don't need to use words, but he is suggesting that one of the greatest demonstrations of the reality of the Gospel will be manifested through its spiritual transformation of our lives and our loving service to other.
The Example Of Jesus
Jesus was chosen by God to heal all those oppressed by the devil and to destroy the works of the devil (Luke 4:16-20; Acts 10:38; 1 John 3:8). When Muslims and Christians advocate for the common good together to help the poor, oppressed, marginalized and the weak they are participating in God’s Dream to see the devil’s works of darkness destroyed on earth as it is in heaven.
Advocating for the common good is one of the greatest ways we live out the core message of Jesus to love our neighbor as ourselves and treat other people the way we want to be treated. John Chrysostom, an Early Church Father who lived from 349 to 407 A.D. believed the common good should be the highest priority for Christians. He said:
This is the rule of the most perfect Christianity, its most exact definition, its highest point, namely, the seeking of the common good… for nothing can so make a person an imitator of Christ as caring for his neighbors.
The Qur’an, certain Hadiths and the “A Common Word” initiative affirm the importance of Muslims loving their neighbors and working for the common good. As peacemakers, both Muslim and Christians, I think it is safe to say that we agree that it is essential that we work for the common good together in our communities.
Work Together
As we began to ask our each other How can we be a blessing to you and your community without a hook or hidden agenda? wonderful things begin to happen. God is so eager for us to participate in his Dream for the world and partner with him that He will use anyone. There is no doubt that all of heaven wants reconciliation to take place. If you say “Yes” to this mission of God for friendship between Muslim and Christians then prepare for action. God will move you towards each other. Here are just a few of the ways of things Muslims and Christians can do together in service projects for the common good.
A Muslim Clinic
When asked how Christians could be a blessing to him, one Muslim leader said that they did not have enough Muslim doctors and nurses for a free Muslim clinic that operated on Sundays. When asked the clinic would mind if some evangelical Christians who were nurses could help volunteer some on Sundays. He said, “We would be honored to have them!”
Building Habitat Homes
Once a lady who worked for Habitat for Humanity asked if funds could be raised and the Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities could be rallied to come together to build the home. It was an unlikely project but it took off and got a lot of media attention. Muslims, Christians and Jews were partnering with God to bring peace to a poor family that desperately needed it. Friendships were forged across the faith lines that continue to work together even now.
Ronald Mcdonald House
One group of about 25 to 30 Muslims and Christians decided to go work a few nights together at a Ronald McDonald House in Durham, North Carolina. This is a home that lets families of children with cancer stay there for free while their children are undergoing cancer treatments at Duke University. It was a joyous bonding experience for all of them to serve in this capacity.
Community Gardens
Numbers of Muslims and Christians come together regularly to work in a community garden. The harvested vegetables would then go to Food Banks to help the poor. Youth from a conservative church, a synagogue next door to the church and a local mosque joined together to grow a community garden for the poor. Truly in all these practical simple efforts of kindness these Muslims, Christians and Jews were participating in God’s Dream and in some small ways attempting and succeeding in destroying the works of devil in their community.