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We Should All Be Scouts
As a child, I was in Scouting, first as a Cub Scout and then later as a Boy Scout. One of the few things I remember was the creedal statement that all Scouts are expected to know by heart and continue to live by to this day, even old washed-out ones: The Boy Scout Law.
“A Scout is: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.”
When this article was put out eight years ago, I wrote:
Many believe our society has become coarser and less respectful in recent decades. Trustworthiness and courtesy seem to be in short supply in politics and especially around election time, with increased name-calling, nasty innuendo, or dark aspersions cast on one’s opponent or their political party.
Boy, hasn’t it gotten worse over the intervening years? More and more people, it seems, are either intentionally or unconsciously being less helpful, less cheerful whenever people are stressed, lacking in common courtesy and friendliness and seem to have an almost out-of-touch view of the state of the world.
With an over-heated election cycle in full swing, with wars (military and economic) and rumors of wars (does anyone really want to attack and take over Canada?), these traits lifted up in Scouting seem more essential for keeping us a “people united” despite our disagreements and disappointments. And it seems that we should be modeling such good behavior for the sake of others. I know they aren’t necessarily “biblical”, in the sense that they are listed like the Fruits of the Spirit or the Gifts of the Spirit, but I can’t help but think that many, if not all, of these traits ought to be reflected in the life of a Christian disciple. After all:
Trustworthy
Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. Luke 16:10
Loyal
Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 1 Peter 5:8b-9
Helpful
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you?’ … And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:37-40
Friendly
Some play at friendship, but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin.
Proverbs 18:24
Courteous
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13: 1-2
Kind
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
Obedient
For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. 1 John 5:3
Cheerful
Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. Acts 2:46-47a
Thrifty
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.
1 Timothy 6:10
Brave
Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Clean
Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove your evil deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil; Isaiah 1:16
Reverent
“Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am there my servant will be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. John 12:26
If this is a way to describe how “they’ll know we are Christians,” perhaps all who claim to follow Jesus should take some time, look at our words, thoughts and actions, and try to seek the better way in our dealings with others - our families, friends, neighbors, and the strangers among us.
Who knows, perhaps we might be entertaining angels without knowing it!
Shalom.
Pr. Mark
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