Problems. How much of our time and energy is spent dealing with problems? How much grief and sorrow must we endure? An impartial observer might be tempted to conclude humanity prefers to be miserable! Almost without exception media portrays an endless string of violence and revenge, poor choices leading to poor results, and haphazard attempts at correction. The basic elements that underpin happiness and contentment are the same for all of us. How is it then, that our collective efforts seem to fail so miserably?
We suffer from a lack of personal responsibility. There is a failure to recognize the power of each individual to shape this world for better or worse. Too easily we lapse into blame and excuse. Yes, we are all the product of circumstances beyond our control. Upbringing, environment, inherited conflicts and oppression in addition to the unique situation of each city, region or nation shape each of us. So powerful are these factors that many are convinced there is “nothing I can do” and resign themselves to a sort of permanent victim-hood. This is a trap!
If it stops you from trying, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Recognize the impact these larger issues have on life, for better or worse. God sees where the responsibility lies. As Christ said, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). He calls us to the truth in every instance. We must accept our circumstances without being defeated by them! If you can see the error in that which surrounds us, then know that you have the God-given potential to change it for the better!
It starts with the individual. Each of us is the first line of defense. There is a tremendous opportunity in this, to prevent the evils of the past from controlling the future. Many steal because they feel they have been stolen from. They hate because they are hated. They are brutal and neglectful because that is all they have ever know. They abuse because they have been abused. It is the twisted justice of hypocrisy to perpetuate that which we detest. Each of us has the potential to break these vicious cycles in our own lives.
Sadly, many of these tragedies also begin with our own lust and covetousness. Ego and the desire for wealth are often the initial error. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed” (James 1:14). The repercussions are not confined to the individual, though many will attest that they are the ones who end up suffering the most, be it from just punishment, guilt, or the destruction of personal relationships and the loss of trust.
God offers a way out. He can forgive as well as forget. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man…” (1 Cor. 10:13). We should be extremely grateful that God understands our weaknesses, that He forebears from punishing us in the moment and with the severity that our actions often warrant. When we are grieved that He has not intervened to prevent many of the evils we see in society. Perhaps it would be good to remember that He has been equally patient with us.
“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust” (Psalm 103:10-14).
This is all the more reason to seize the opportunity to make tomorrow better than today! Take hold of God’s promises, accept His offer of mercy and be merciful to others in turn. Leave the problems of the past in the past. Its wars and hatreds, its cycles of violence and abuse have no place in tomorrow.
You may feel alone, isolated or insignificant. Remember, for the sake of ten righteous people God would have spared Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:32). Elijah thought he alone was left, but God comforted him with the knowledge of new kings, a successor, and the fact that 7,000 people remained who had not bowed to Baal (1 Kings 19:14-18). No person is insignificant. We all have a role to play in God’s plan.
Leadership can have an exaggerated impact, but ultimately it is composed of individuals with the same responsibility towards law and righteousness. Nor can we neglect our role in selecting or empowering those who rule. Moses told the people to seek out those with wisdom and understanding to be made captains and officers (Deuteronomy 1:12-14). Later, Israel rejected the sons of Samuel as judges because they “…turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment” (1 Samuel 8:3). They demanded a king at the same time, creating an overpowered executive role that God warned them they would come to regret. Isaiah lamented, “they which lead thee cause thee to err” (Isaiah 3:12).
Impact increases with office. Still, blame is unproductive. You can appoint a new captain, but the ship will continue sinking until the hole in its bottom is fixed. The same goes for society; wanting it to be better is not enough. You can either be part of the problem or the solution. Christ said, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).
You may think you don’t have much to offer or you may have some big changes to make. Even the smallest kindness, word of encouragement, forgiveness asked or given, or sympathetic friend could mark a turning point for yourself or someone else. But by no means can we be the ones to perpetuate evil! There are enough problems already. We have all suffered too much. Forgive and you shall be forgiven (Luke 6:37). Commit to not repeating the past! Tomorrow can and will be better if we can muster the courage to take responsibility for ourselves!
This issue of 21st Century WATCH highlights the kind of impact that one person can have. From the smallest decision all the way up to the moral disputes that grip the nation, overt political violence, and the perpetuation of ancient hatreds. We each have a unique opportunity to stop these problems in their tracks.
