It is overwhelming to hear about the world’s problems. Initially, this was called crisis and donor fatigue. The idea that every tragedy was a call to action and demanded our immediate attention is true or viable. Now, with a pandemic dominating, yesterday’s calls to action have faded into shadows, yet still compete for our attention.
It is easy for me to see that the problems have not gone away. From my vantage point, I along with others are exploiting our environment as part of our “human rights” at the top of the chain where the world is ours to use as we see fit. For those recognizing that this is not sustainable, it is easy say the right thing while quietly repeating one’s actions of yesterday.
The situation has gotten to the point that I struggle to get beyond platitudes with most individuals I talk with. When I consider problems and solutions, taking the next step to have a civil discourse on the subject is almost impossible.
To be clear, I do not have the answers for others, however there is a model which I can adopt for myself.
I can choose to do the right thing. If in doubt, kindness and care always triumph! In every action, I can wrestle with how to respond, yet the intent is always the same. I will choose love, compassion, and empathy over justice. I will choose to help and lift instead of insuring that revenue and retribution has been exercise. I will choose to engage, even though it is harder than standing by.
I can live and model what I say I stand for. The model laid out by the psalmist works for me; “God stands up for his people, God holds the hands of his people.” (Psalm 135.14). Gone are the days where I do not think about what I am eating and its impact on the environment. From clothing to transportation, I find myself pausing, reflecting, and trying to be intentional in my decisions and the actions which follow.
I can start with me.
