But, What Can I Do?

Do your days seem repetitious?  Get up, eat, exercise (?), go to work (or, work from home), go to bed.  And…repeat.  In between, we’re on our phones or tuning into the news which is seldom what we might call uplifting.

Then, there’s an assassination attempt on a political figure and suddenly much of the nation is transfixed.  We’re horrified and we’re stunned.  But, why?

Our country is in disarray.  It’s divided.  People are disillusioned and discouraged.  All of this leads to frustration and fear.  A sense of helplessness boils over into anger and eventually someone lashes out.  And, thus, innocent people are wounded or die.

Is this scenario new?  Ecclesiastes 1:9b says, “There is nothing new under the sun.”  Similar things date back centuries.  We have only to look back in our own country to Lincoln and more recently to Kennedy, and Martin Luther King.  Also, the attempt on Reagan’s life.

A commonly known expression comes from the 6th century BC and a storyteller named Aesop – later repeated by Patick Henry in 1799 – “United we stand, divided we fall.”  Most people form opinions and have beliefs that are not going to change.  Yet, people tend to want to be a part of something and that desire often results in a mob mentality that can easily be stirred up with disastrous results.

When will we learn?  Why can’t we disagree and still respect and care about each other?  Why can’t we agree to disagree and still be civil – and even learn to compromise?

We have climbed to a place of incredible medical and technological advancement, all the while descending into a moral abyss.

What kind of world are we leaving to those who come behind us?  Our children and grandchildren deserve better.  Yet, we all ask: what can I do?  I’m just one person.  Each of us can evaluate our own attitudes and approaches.  How do we react when someone disagrees with us, confronts us or is combative?  Do we throw fuel on the fire, or respect another as a fellow human being (“turn the other cheek”), diffuse the situation, responding calmly?  Are we overly judgmental and harshly critical of another, particularly involving hot-bed issues like politics or religion?  James 3:5 tells us, “The tongue is a fire…”  Fire spreads if it’s not brought under control and put out.

There are various religions each individual is free to study and evaluate.  There are also different political parties available to us.  It’s not up to me to decide for you, nor you for me.  Someone might say this is an over-simplification of the situation we find ourselves in.  After all, we can’t control anyone else’s behavior.  Only our own.  But, imagine if each one took it to heart and put it into practice.  It’s time to look in a mirror, make whatever changes we might personally need to make and if necessary, stop being a catalyst and instead make an effort at being a peacemaker.

In the meantime, expect the unexpected.  “Be as shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves,” as Jesus told His disciples (Matthew 10:16)  In other words, be cautious and aware while also staying out of the fray.

And, NEVER stop praying.

“Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.”  (Matthew 12:25)

“Live in peace with one another…”  (1 Thessalonians 5:13)