Doing Good Together

Doing Good Together

Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Galatians 6:10

The film Pearl Harbor tells the story of two friends, Rafe and Danny, who survive the attack on Pearl Harbor and enter into World War II as fighter pilots.

In response to the Japanese attack, the Americans plan a risky, top-secret strike on Japan called the Doolittle Raid, and Rafe and Danny are recruited for the mission. Because of the tremendous risk, Colonel Jimmy Doolittle gives every pilot the choice to back out, but they all choose to go.

On the aircraft carrier en route to Japan, Rafe and Danny are painting logos on their airplanes when Danny quips, “Hey, Red, you think they picked us because we’re young and dumb?”

“No, Goose. We’re the tip of the sword,” says Rafe.

Colonel Doolittle, off in the shadows, looks at his two key pilots and tells his fellow commander, “We may lose this battle, but we’re going to win this war. You know how I know?”

Doolittle points at Rafe and Danny. “Them—because they are rare. At times like these you see them stepping forward.” After a long pause, he adds, “There’s nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.”

And he’s right. A volunteer is a person who is working on behalf of others or a particular cause without payment for his or her time or services. Like Rafe and Danny, volunteers feel the mission deep in their hearts. It compels them.

Chances are, at some point you have each volunteered for something or someone. But have you considered volunteering for something together as a couple? Does that fit into your mission for the year? We raise the question because volunteering as a husband-and-wife team is sure to strengthen your relationship—but not only that, it’s sure to help you leave a legacy as well. As writer Albert Pike has said, “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.”

So what act of kindness for others can you do together? What is the need around you? Is it mentoring a younger, less experienced couple? Maybe it’s caring for an elderly shut-in who has few visitors. Or helping out in your church’s youth program. Whatever the activity, we urge you to build it into your own mission for the year. It is these acts that will be the most radiant pages of your love story.

Unselfish and noble actions are the most radiant pages in the biography of souls.

—David Thomas