The term Biblical values covers a lot of scope, and often that scope ranges according to doctrine and belief. But there are some values that most Christians can agree on, and at Bethesda Senior Living Communities, we try to live out those values in meaningful, organic ways. And that's true for each of our faith-based assisted living communities.
Here are just some ways you can see Biblical values being demonstrated in our assisted living communities.
1 Corinthians 13 says, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
It's a memorable and popular verse, and seniors and families of faith likely know it. You might even have it embroidered on a pillow or hanging on a wall. But it's important to remember what Paul writes before this verse. He talks about how important love is, saying that if he doesn't have love, no matter what he gains, he has nothing.
Love, says the apostle, protects. It is kind and doesn't seek to satisfy itself. And when all else falls away — all things gained in this world — love is the only thing that we can hold on to that remains.
Staff at assisted living communities regularly see residents take the courageous step to let go of an old life and embrace a new chapter. They might downsize, giving away belongings. They might leave a beloved community to find a home in another. But as all those things fall away, we help ensure they are surrounded by faith, hope and love.
The hymn He Lives says, "I serve a risen Savior, he's in the world today." In the refrain, the message of the song continues with lyrics that say, "You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart."
As a faith-based organization, we strive to create policies and cultures that support staff as they live in ways to serve a risen Savior by serving others. While not all of our staff is Christian, we make it a point to hire compassionate, caring professionals that show kindness to others throughout their interactions.
From housekeeping and administrative staff to nurses and activity leaders, the staff at our assisted living communities work to create vibrant, joyful cultures that seniors can enjoy.
When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." But he said the second-greatest commandment was "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22: 37-39).
We've already covered how our staff works to love each resident of our assisted living communities. But we're also proud of the culture of our communities and the fact that the residents themselves often live out the second-greatest commandment. Residents at the various communities under our umbrella volunteer in their local communities, host activities and Bible studies and regularly engage in small acts of kindness, such as inviting others to eat with them or offering a shoulder to cry on.
In Luke 6:38, Jesus says, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap…"
At Bethesda Senior Living Communities, our mission is to provide affordable assisted living options and live up to our faith-based ideals. Everything we do is to serve our residents, and we do this gladly knowing that God has provided and that we're to share those blessings with others.
We also create plenty of opportunities for like-minded residents to share God's blessings with each other. From worship and Bible study times to games and dining options that foster fellowship, we strive to put the community in assisted living community.
In Galatians 5:1, Paul writes, "It is for freedom that Christ set us free." Here Paul is telling the Galatians to stand firm in this freedom lest they be caught again by the slavery of sin. But he's also noting that in Christ, you're free to live an abundant and purposeful life. It isn't always a life that might look wealthy to the world, but it is a life that's wealthy in spiritual resources.
The staff at our senior living communities works to unburden residents so that they can be free in worldly ways as well as spiritual ways. Our staff work to keep communities and assisted living apartments clean, provide nutritious meals and serve residents in many other ways so that retired seniors can enjoy their freedom by engaging in hobbies, social time and other activities of interest.
We love that our residents come from a wide range of diverse backgrounds, and we recognize that everyone needs something different in an assisted living community. But we also hope that by shining love, kindness and other Biblical values that we're able to meet the needs of all our residents and help them live enjoyable, active lives.
