Ed, my old neighbour from Saskatchewan, and I are planning a trip to the various spots gold was discovered here in British Columbia. From 1850 to 1899, gold was found in multiple areas of the colony of British Columbia, so there is no shortage of gold strike places to see and explore including some fascinating ghost towns.
Forest Fires last year shut our plans down, but this year we are hoping to explore the Cariboo Gold Rush sites. We will be tourists along with others following the gold rush routes into the heart of the province. Our travel by car will be comfortable through mountain highways, no hard deed to accomplish.
It was not the case for the gold seekers that followed the Fraser River north after the gold on the lower Fraser declined. Gold fever drove such folks as Dutch Bill Dietz, Twelve Foot Davis, Liverpool Jack, Kettle Belly Brown, Porcupine Billy and many more to search the wilderness in the hope of striking it rich. They risked life and limb to get rich, and some did just that while most did not.
Our deeds define us and what we hope to accomplish in life. John Steinbeck has observed, 鈥淲e value virtue but do not discuss it. The honest bookkeeper, the faithful wife, the earnest scholar, get little of our attention compared to the embezzler, the tramp, the cheat.鈥� I think that the deeds once referred to as the Seven Deadly Sins do get far more attention than they deserve in our society.
Most television programs, news stories, movies, etc. reflect an overabundance of folks acting in pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed, and sloth. Is there a lack of balance of people who are serving in honesty, faithfulness, and integrity on television?
The Seven Contrary Virtues to the Seven Deadly Sins are not spotlighted in our society. Humility is the balance to pride, kindness is the balance to envy, abstinence is the balance to gluttony, chastity is the balance to lust, generosity is the balance to greed, and diligence is the balance to sloth.
As Christians Jesus says to us in Matthew: 鈥淵ou are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.鈥�
The Bible is clear about what the Lord hates so that our deeds will not reflect them! Proverbs states: 鈥淭here are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him, haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick听 to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up dissension among brothers.
Jesus warns us to be careful not to do our good deeds before others. Good deeds are for God to see not others. It is God who is pleased when he sees that we discreetly feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, give shelter to strangers, clothe the naked, visit the sick, aid those in prison, and bury the dead. Our world needs your willing deeds of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.听
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