There is a recurring theme that voters ask in British politics. “Are they really serious, this time?” As an outside observer perhaps I am missing a nuance or two; however, the lack of identity and forward momentum of any party on any issue is incredibly confusing. Nobody really seems accountable for what happened yesterday. It seems that those in power cannot lose it no matter how often they publicly mess up. The public may be in uproar for a period of time but all know that the newspapers, television, and public will eventually grow bored of a controversy so the attitude is tough it out, wait a bit, and then restart with the same players and the same old themes. Nothing really changes, nobody seems interested in learning, and apathy merely grows.
I don’t want to paint a picture that is too negative. If I am reflectively honest then politics isn’t the only behavior that falls into this pattern. There are many examples across different cultures, economies, and demographic clusters. My life is a pretty good fit as well! The question remains, am I really serious about learning, moving forward, and making something of life? In short, do I want to live, really serious live life to the maximum?
Unfortunately my behavior often says the status quo of yesterday is just fine. My heart thinks otherwise. So I am doing something about it! I am taking more daily time for reflection, forgiving myself for failures as readily as I took the condemning, and exercising compassion and mercy relentlessly. These things are not on a monthly or evening weekly timeline; I am approaching this minute by minute. Unless I do this I find that I cannot be serious.
If I were on a bigger stage then my message would be: “Get everyone there [to gather]. Consecrate the congregation. Make sure the elders come, but bring in the children, too, even the nursing babies, even men and women on their honeymoon—interrupt them and get them there.” (Joel 2.16) Let’s live life, all of us! Individually and collectively.
