WEDNESDAY'S WORDS - RECIPROCITY, TRADE-OFFS & COMPROMISE - Sadell Bradley 10/28/2020

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORDS

RECIPROCITY, TRADE-OFFS & COMPROMISE

Sadell Bradley

10/28/2020

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The old saying goes, "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours." Seems like these monkeys already get RECIPROCITY - the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit. To reciprocate means to respond to (a gesture or action) by making a corresponding one; or to experience the same (love, liking, or affection) for someone as the person does for oneself. This last sentiment is expressed in the second of the two greatest commands of God's law. 'Love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:31) It is also found in The Golden Rule, "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:12, NLT) These simple Biblical truths on reciprocity we learned as children seem lost right about now, but displays of God's kindness and love generally yield as much as they give, if not more.

TRADE-OFFS A TRADE-OFF is a situational decision that involves diminishing or losing one thing while gaining another in return. All trade-offs aren't bad, we make strategics choices based on a particular set of circumstances. That's happening a lot right now in this pandemic as many have had to navigate difficult choices in order to survive and thrive. 39% of financially struggling millennials are choosing to give up some of their freedoms to move back in with their parents to defray costs.(CNBC) In a trade-off, we fully understand the pros and cons, and decide what we're willing to lose to get what benefits us. Reciprocity and trade-offs are a part of life. The Apostle Paul chose to forsake the benefits of his religious status and education to become a follower of Christ. He said, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ." (Phil. 3:7) Though it cost him his reputation, his prestige and social standing, his physical freedom, and eventually his life...to Paul, Jesus was more than worth it.

COMPROMISE

COMPROMISE is another word we're not hearing too often in this climate of extreme opinions. Its meaning depends on the situation. Sometimes compromise does indeed mean accepting standards lower than we desire. At other times it means we choose to work together to come to an agreement in a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions. Wouldn't that be refreshing to see. "Compromise is not about losing. It is about deciding that the other person has just as much right to be happy with the end result as you do." - Donna Martini