Welcome to our first “Be The Tenth” global campaign.
We have created this page to give everyone the opportunity to actively participate on the greatest, and oldest human trait of all times: “Kindness”
The phrase “Be The Tenth” as you all probably know by now come from the Book of Genesis, when Abraham was visited by God and two Angels on their way to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham love and compassion for humanity made approached Him with earnestness and boldness of faith to intercede.
22 The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD. 23 Then Abraham approached him and said: ‘Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing–to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do, right? 26 The LORD said, ‘If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake. 27 Then Abraham spoke up again: ‘Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, 28 what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five people?’ ‘If I find forty-five there,’ he said, ‘I will not destroy it.’ 29 Once again he spoke to him, ‘What if only forty are found there?’ He said, ‘For the sake of forty, I will not do it.’ 30 Then he said, ‘May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?’ He answered, ‘I will not do it if I find thirty there.’ 31 Abraham said, ‘Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?’ He said, ‘For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.’
32 Then he said, ‘May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?’ He answered, ‘For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.’
33 When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.
Verse thirty-two accentuates the love of God for all of us. It shows that despite the world affliction, and path of self-destruction, he is willing to spare us from condemnation, and allows us to come to his table, like the prodigal son who returns home.
According to ancient studies the number “10” symbolizes the completion of a cycle. It is the number of heaven and the world and universal creation. It also represents Creator and creation, where the trinity (3) rested after the seventh (7) day. 3 + 7 = 10. There are also ten Commandments, in which the word “Command” by itself means to entrust, and to restore order.
There is an absolute derivative that from every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. An event that could set off a series of consequences, like a frozen bird on a snowed mountain top that when falling from the tree on the hill causes an avalanche destroying all things on its downward path. But like every meticulously designed pattern where two values equal an outcome before the next, there will always be a “kill switch” to interrupt any sequences from that event, to restore execution to the beginning. So, in Genesis Chapter eight-teen, verse thirty-two the ten “Just”, represents the “kill-switch” to restore order, and reset.
Now let us move to the definition of what makes a person “Just”. Consensus defines that “Just’ is a person that his or her actions are based on a behavior that are morally and fair. Webster’s dictionary defines “Just” as Conforming or conformable to rectitude or justice; not doing wrong to any; violating no right or obligation; upright; righteous; honest; true; — said both of persons and things. But all the previous statements are no instilled in each of us by nature. Like everything else in life, all knowledge is achieved based on assimilation and learned behavior. Where “Knowledge” is the root of all things, and the driving force of all behavior.
In so, it would be fair to say that “knowledge” has a beginning, but it has no end. That it starts when a child enters the age of reason but continues long after our death by the assimilation others will take based on the behavior, we conducted ourselves during our lifetime. Others may or may not replicate a specific behavior from their peers, but the interaction that occurred between both parties, becomes a choice for his or her serving purpose.
I believe that we all were born with a purpose, just like any of God’s creation. That while many will seek for that self-fulfilling reason for their existence. That my testament of faith is that we were born to serve God and his creation. So, it goes without saying, that we are here to serve God by obeying his commandments, and we serve his creation with love and kindness.
The great thing about love and kindness is that it comes in all forms. It is not individual, or target specific, it just occurs naturally, and has a profound effect in changing people’s lives, both emotionally, and spiritually.
How is it achieved? By means of assimilation. Luke 6:31 and Matthew 7:12 wrote that Jesus said: “Do unto other as you would have them do unto you”, so why not use these words as the foundation of your very own “Golden Rule” that would start something good? You could start by giving a total stranger an unexpected compliment, that they will do the same to someone else. Or build a little free library box in your yard. Put books in it for your neighbors to borrow and invite them to donate their books. Even by sending a message to a friend you have lost touch with, to let them know you appreciate them.
Make it sustainable. While many fads come and go. The so-called challenges are sometimes a social exercise, many created only for entertainment with no substance, or lasting effect. They are just a merely opportunity for those seeking or wanting attention. Random Act of Kindness on the other hand are spontaneous and anonymous, the reward is inwards, and self-fulfilling. They could become a habit, a way of life, and when it becomes your second nature, then certainly and rightfully so, you have achieved the title of “The Tenth Just” the one individual entrusted to restore order.
God Bless all of you.
Significance of this card and ways it could be used:
- Make a pledge and set a goal: Your pledge should be to perform at least “Ten” Acts of Random Kindness a week. There is a list of links at the bottom of this page with suggestions of Acts of Random Kindness people should consider.
- Make it sustainable: Make it part of your daily life. Always find creative ways to bring awareness to all those around you, without sounding like you are on a religious crusade of conversion.
- Pass it around: Make it fun. Leave card on visible place for other people to take in hope to increase participation. Or give to the person receiving your Act of Kindness.
- Add suggestions to this post: Everyone’s suggestions are always welcome on ways or things people could do to help others. So, post your comments and suggestions below.
“This world is good to live in, but we could make it better. Once we have made it better; the best will soon become.”