Focal Point

It is too easy to focus on the obvious.  We should get along.  We all want harmony, peace, and love.  Peace is our mantra.  When wars lose their focus we wonder why we were there in the first place.  When conflicts continue we challenge ourselves as to our mission and purpose.  When injustice prevails it is easy to blame the unknown, unseen, and uncontrollable.  Where is our focus?  What is the point?
 
I would like to suggest two starting points.
 
First, we are in this – together.  Each and every member of the human race has, at one time or another, struggled with the demons of injustice, fear, and exploitation.  You, I, members of our family and community, and even the strangers which pass our path are engaged in the fight of our lives!  There is no us and them.  The ideas of being totally alone, independent, and free to act without touching others are figments of someone’s imagination with an agenda.  We are part of a family.  We share a journey which has two endings.  We struggle with the same demons – albeit with slightly different faces and shapes.
 
Second, the problems, challenges, and obstacles we face are not people.  They are the outcomes of decision, actions, and ideas.  When we fight do we take on the messengers of hate, pain, and anguish?  The alternatives are always there.  Fight the cause.  Take on the defense.  Deal with the mess.
 
In the midst of all this it is still relevant in standing up against evil in all its shapes.  To those involved the condemnation is clear; “Doom to you who legislate evil, who make laws that make victims—laws that make misery for the poor, that rob my destitute people of dignity, exploiting defenseless widows, taking advantage of homeless children.” (Isaiah 10.1, 2)  You will live with the karma created by your choices, decisions, and actions.
 
Yet our fight is not with the individuals involved; they need our compassion as much as our accountability.  We are in the business of modeling ideals.  We can live compassion, now.