I am currently in a city with no rules except for those informally proposed by the community and accepted individually. I do not see policemen on the streets because the bankrupt city and government do not have money to pay them. Stop lights are few, traffic governs itself, and life goes on. For many, the struggle to survive and pay the bills is painful. Much that a reasonable society takes for granted does not seem to exist. If it does, it rarely delivers.
As I walked home last night, I was struck by the idea that I had a debt to the institutions that preceded the present. Governments, community institutions, banks, and even churches no longer play the roles of the past. It is not that the ideas they represented are no longer relevant. On the contrary, the ideas of community, service, and kindness are needed now more than ever. They are important ideals that have lost their connection to the present.
As I look to the day ahead, the lessons that brought me here are reminding me of the points to frame my day.
Going it alone is not enough, I need more. Divine love, belief in my status as a member of Divinity’s family, and recognition that I am part of a family community is my greater foundation. As I look back, I agree with Paul, “So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent.” (Romans 8.12) What I owe myself and those around me is the follow-on to accepting the unconditional “more” to my life; love, belonging, and community.
I control what comes next. Institutions, civic and religious, are inherently based on the strengths and weaknesses of human beings. I can take the best they offer me as energy and insight into the present. What follows is my response to the opportunities that life gives me. I have the freedom and responsibility to bring love, kindness, and care to life. In doing so, I honour my debt to Divinity for her love, acceptance, and gift of belonging.
